ALFRED  COOKMAN. 


THE   LIFE   OF 


THE 


REV.  ALFRED   COOKMAN, 


fey  ROBr* 


THE 


REV.  ALFRED  COOKMAN; 

WITH  SOME  ACCOUNT  OF  HIS  FATHER, 

THE  REV.  GEORGE  GRIMSTON   COOKMAN. 


BY 


HENRY   B.  RIDGAWAY,  D.D. 


WITH  AN  INTRODUCTION  BY  THE  REV.  R.  S.  FOSTER,  LL.D., 

Bishop  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 


NEW      YORK: 
HARPER    &    BROTHERS,    PUBLISHERS, 

FRANKLIN      SQUARE. 
I873. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1873,  ty 

HARPER  &  BROTHERS, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


TO 

MRS.  MARY    COOKMAN, 

MOTHER  OF  ALFRED  COOKMAN, 

THE  DEVOUT  CHRISTIAN  LADY  WHO,  THROUGH  A  LONG  LIFE,  HAS  SO 

BEAUTIFULLY  EXEMPLIFIED  THE  DOCTRINES 

TAUGHT  BY  HER  SON, 

2Tf)fs  Volume  fs  Sffectfonatelj?  Enscrfbcto 

BY 

THE  AUTHOR. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE   COOKMAN  FAMILY. —  GEORGE   GRIMSTON   COOKMAN  .  .          19 

CHAPTER  II. 

THE   REV.  GEORGE   G.  COOKMAN   IN  AMERICA. — THE  BIRTH 

OF   ALFRED 34 

CHAPTER  III. 

THE   GROWING   FAME   OF  REV.  GEORGE  G.  COOKMAN. — THE 

CHILDHOOD   OF   ALFRED 49 

CHAPTER  IV. 

REV.  GEORGE   G.  COOKMAN    IN    THE   CAPITAL   OF   THE   NA- 
TION.— THE   YOUTH   OF  ALFRED 63 

CHAPTER  V. 

REV.  GEORGE  G.  COOKMAN  LOST  AT  SEA. — ALFRED'S  RAPID 

PROGRESS 8l 

CHAPTER  VI. 

ALFRED,  THE  CHRISTIAN  WORKER. — ESSAYS  AT  PREACHING         95 

CHAPTER  VII. 

THE    YOUTHFUL    PASTOR. — HIS    FIRST   CIRCUIT..  Ill 


Vlll  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

FROM  COUNTRY  TO   CITY. — TRIP   TO    ENGLAND 125 

CHAPTER  IX. 

THE    FOREIGN   TOUR. — ENGLISH    SCENERY  AND    FRIENDS..       138 

CHAPTER  X. 

HOME   AGAIN. — MARRIAGE. — MINISTRY   AT   WEST  CHESTER 

AND    HARRISBURG,  PA 152 

CHAPTER  XL 

MINISTRY  AT  CHRIST  CHURCH,  PITTSBURGH,  PA. — INCREAS- 
ING  FAME   AND   USEFULNESS 169 

CHAPTER  XII. 

MINISTRY   AT    GREEN    STREET    CHURCH,  PHILADELPHIA. — 

REMARKABLE   REVIVAL 19 1 

CHAPTER  XllL 

THE     UNION   'CHURCH,  PHILADELPHIA. SLAVERY    AGITA- 
TION.— CHRISTIAN   UNION 212 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

REMOVAL    TO    NEW    YORK. — MINISTRY    AT    THE    CENTRAL 

CHURCH. — PATRIOTISM   AND  THE   CIVIL  WAR 229 

CHAPTER  XV. 

TRINITY   METHODIST   EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. — THE  ARMY  OF 

THE   POTOMAC   AND  THE  CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION 258 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

RETURN   TO   PHILADELPHIA. — PASTORATE  OF  THE   SPRING 

GARDEN   STREET   CHURCH. — AMONG   THE   CHILDREN  .  ,          281 


CONTENTS.  ix 

CHAPTER  XVII.  PAGE 

SPRING  GARDEN   STREET  CHURCH. — CIVIL  RIGHTS   OF  THE 

COLORED   RACE. — VACATION   AT   CAMP-MEETINGS 297 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

SPRING  GARDEN  STREET  CHURCH. THE  NATIONAL  CAMP- 
MEETING  MOVEMENT 314 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

SPRING  GARDEN  STREET  CHURCH. — DEATH  OF  GEORGE 

COOKMAN  AND  OF  ALFRED  BRUNER  COOKMAN 328 

CHAPTER  XX. 

GRACE  CHURCH,  WILMINGTON,  DELAWARE. THE  NATIONAL 

AND  OTHER   CAMP-MEETINGS. — MISSIONARY  JUBILEE.  .  .       345 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

GRACE  CHURCH. — SKILL  IN 'THE  PASTORATE.  —  NATIONAL 
CAMP-MEETINGS  AT  HAMILTON,  OAKINGTON,  AND  DES- 
PLAINES 369 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

GRACE  CHURCH. — THE   PENINSULA    CONVENTION 384 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

CENTRAL  CHURCH,  NEWARK,  N.  J. —  OCEAN  GROVE  CAMP- 
GROUND.  NATIONAL  CAMP-MEETINGS  AT  ROUND  LAKE 

AND   URBANA 402 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE  LAST  CAMP-MEETINGS. — FAILING  HEALTH. — THE  LAST 

SERMON 425 

A  2 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

THE   LAST   HOURS. — SWEEPING  THROUGH   THE    GATES....       442 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

ESTIMATES    OF    THE    LIFE    AND    CHARACTER    OF    ALFRED 

COOKMAN 457 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE  lives  of  the  good  and  great  are  the  heritage  of  the  ages. 
While  they  are  with  us  they  enrich  us  with  our  choicest  treas- 
ures. When  they  depart  from  us  they  bequeath  the  still  richer 
legacy  of  the  memory  of  their  noble  deeds  and  exalted  virtues 
— richer,  because  what  was  little  and  ignoble  in  them  perishes 
with  their  dust ;  while  only  what  was  good  and  pure  remains, 
taking  on  greater  lustre  after  their  translation.  From  their 
thrones  in  the  heavens  they  shed  down  upon  us  a  more  potent 
influence  than  that  which  they  excited  when  they  were  journey- 
ing the  vale  of  our  earthly  suffering  with  us.  They  do  not 
more  really  live  in  their  far-off  homes  than  in  our  memories 
and  fond  affections.  We  do  not  see  them  or  touch  them — 
much  as  we  long  to — but  we  feel  their  presence  and  power. 
We  persuade  ourselves  that  invisibly  they  linger  in  our  homes 
as  ministering  angels  —  if  not  sharing  our  sorrows,  at  least 
watching  in  loving  vigils  over  us. 

As  when  they  were  alive  we  wanted  every  one  to  know  and 
love  them,  so,  being  dead,  we  desire  to  transmit  to  unborn  ages 
the  knowledge  of  them.  The  desire,  I  take  it,  is  not  more 
natural  than  beautiful — not  more  honoring  to  the  dead  than 
ennobling  to  the  living. 


Xll  INTRODUCTION. 

There  is  that  in  a  true  biography  which  charms  us  with  a 
strange  spell.  We  find  in  it,  however  it  may  differ  from  our 
own  history  and  experiences,  an  image  of  our  deepest  self; 
which,  under  all  varieties,  is  in  substance  the  same  in  every 
humanity.  We  witness  the  same  struggles  of  the  better  with 
the  more  ignoble  qualities — the  same  alternations  of  doubt 
and  trust,  of  fear  and  hope — the  same  sorrows  and  joys  and 
loves — the  same  earthly  and  heavenly  longings — the  same  tug- 
gings  at  the  heart — the  same  successes  and  defeats — the  same 
all  things  that  enter  into  this  strange  earthly  life  we  are  living 
— the  same  coming  and  going  of  the  bright  and  dark  days  over 
the  mottled  landscape  of  our  being.  So  we  are  rebuked  and 
comforted,  chided  and  encouraged  on  the  same  page.  The 
communion,  when  the  life  we  contemplate  is  on  the  whole 
beautiful  and  good,  is  healthful.  Unconsciously  we  enter  into 
its  confluence,  make  it  our  own,  and,  with  greater  clearness 
than  if  it  were  actually  ours,  discern  and  appreciate  its  good 
and  evil. 

What  a  wonderful  thing  a  human  life  is  !  Who  considers 
it  rightly  ?  I  do  not  now  mean  some  human  life,  but  any 
human  life  —  not  the  life  of  the  great  more  than  the  little. 
On  some  day  —  and  it  matters  not  when  or  where  —  the 
good  God,  Father  of  us  all,  lays  a  little  babe  on  a  wom- 
an's breast.  It  is  a  wee  thing,  just  breathing  a  soft,  sweet 
breath,  the  faintest  ripple  of  an  unconscious  life — the  merest 
germ.  It  is  the  dawn  of  an  immortal  history  of  strange,  I  was 
about  to  write  divine,  consciousnesses.  Earthquakes  rend  the 
globe,  great  forces  convulse,  it  may  be,  the  sidereal  universe, 


INTRODUCTION.  xiii 

but  in  that  fragile  bosom  are  stored  potencies  mightier  than 
all  material  agencies — not  so  obvious,  but  infinitely  greater. 
Helpless  it  lies  there  on  the  pillow  of  maternal  love.  The 
fountain  springing  at  its  lips  nourishes  it.  It  drinks  and  sleeps 
and  grows.  A  little  while  and  its  dull  eye  grows  bright.  In- 
quisitive wonder  looks  out  between  .the  lids.  The  days  and 
weeks  and  months  swell  into  years.  The  baby  is  a  boy — the 
boy  a  youth — the  youth  a  man.  Mustering  up  the  years  to 
the  drum-beat  of  each  pulse,  come  joys  and  sorrows,  hopes  and 
loves.  Young  manhood,  with  its  witching  ardors  and  exciting 
but  too  delusive  hopes,  stands,  flushed  with  pride  and  ambi- 
tion, before  us.  Real  life  is  in  the  offing.  As  yet  it  opens 
with  brightness  and  beauty.  The  gathering  clouds  show  only 
the  silver  linings — it  is  morning,  with  the  sweet  breath  of  spring. 
But  on  behind  these  come  other  years.  The  dun  level  of 
middle  manhood  and  mature  age  crowds  quick  upon  the 
vanishing  hold  of  youth.  Now  life  is  real  and  earnest.  Sor- 
rows and  cares  and  labors  flood  all  the  moments  to  their 
brim  —  and  heartaches  and  weariness  come  with  the  morn- 
ing and  thicken  to  the  evening.  The  great,  hard  world,  with 
its  manifold  evils,  and  the  stormy  eternity,  with  its  terrors, 
open  upon  the  gaze  of  the  immortal  spirit.  The  struggle  is 
brief.  Death  strikes :  one  part  of  a  life  has  been  lived — the 
greater  part  remains.  Such  is  the  outline  of  each  human  histo- 
ry. To  one  there  is  more  of  evil,  to  another  more  of  good ; 
but  the  story  is  the  same.  Among  these  lives  comes  occa- 
sionally one  of  more  than  ordinary  beauty,  and  men  love  to 
gaze  on  it  and  linger  over  it.  It  is  the  charm  of  the  genera- 


Xiv  INTRODUCTION. 

tion — of  the  ages.  When  it  vanishes,  the  darkness  shrouds 
us  all. 

Such  was  the  life  delineated  in  these  pages.  It  rarely  hap- 
pens that  so  noble  a  subject  finds  so  worthy  a  biographer. 
The  book  will  be  found  crowded  with  beauty  and  entertain- 
ment from  beginning  to  end.  The  story  it  tells  will  not  be  in- 
teresting to  all ;  but  to  every  admirer  of  the  delicate  delineation 
of  pure  and  noble  manhood  it  will  be  rich  as  a  poem.  It  is 
more  than  a  biography.  The  distinguished  father  is  scarcely 
less  the  subject  of  the  sketch  than  the  gifted  son.  The  writer 
has  brought  the  entire  Christian  commonwealth  under  obliga- 
tion, by  restoring  the  lustre  of  an  almost  perished  name,  which 
was  once  the  joy  of  all  denominations  in  two  hemispheres. 
Especially  American  Methodism,  in  which  the  name  of  George 
G.  Cookman  has  been  as  sweet  incense  for  two  generations, 
will  gladly  acknowledge  the  debt. 

Alfred  Cookman,  the  immediate  subject,  has  but  lately 
passed  away.  His  memory  is  yet  fresh  with  us  all — the  mem- 
ory of  the  joy  we  had  of  his  rare  ministry,  and  of  the  sorrow — 
yet  unassuaged — that  thrilled  us  all  by  his  sudden  death. 

The  work  of  delineating  his  character  and  reciting  the  story 
of  his  life  is  done  in  the  following  pages.  Dr.  Ridgaway,  the 
life-long  friend,  not  more  qualified  by  close  intimacies  than  by 
the  rare  and  peculiar  qualities  of  his  own  mind,  has  left  noth- 
ing to  be  added  or  desired.  It  is  a  high  commendation  to  his 
work  to  say  that  he  has  done  justice  to  his  subject.  Yet  I 
can  not  close  this  brief  introduction  without  laying  a  small 
tribute  on  the  shrine  of  Alfred  Cookman,  and  it  shall  relate  to 


INTRODUCTION.  XV 

a  single  aspect  of  his  character,  which  profoundly  impressed 
me,  as  I  think  it  did  every  one.  I  never  thought  him  a  genius. 
He  was  not,  in  my  judgment,  transcendently  gifted.  He 
was  eloquent,  and  many  times  mighty  in  the  pulpit.  I  am 
certain  that  this  was  the  verdict  of  thousands  that  hung  with 
delight  and  profit  on  his  words.  But  it  was  not  his  great  intel- 
lectual power,  nor  yet  his  persuasive  eloquence,  that  impressed 
me  chiefly.  The  one  quality  in  which  he  seemed  to  me  to  rise 
above  not  only  the  mass  of  men  and  the  select  best,  but,  I  must 
say  it,  above  every  man  it  has  been  my  privilege  to  know, 
was  the  sacredness  of  his  entire  life.  Not  in  the  pulpit 
alone,  not  in  the  prayer-circle  alone,  nor  in  his  pastoral  walks 
exclusively,  but  every  where  and  at  all  times  he  seemed  in- 
vested— not  with  simulated  sanctity — but  a  Christliness  that 
was  as  beautiful  as  it  was  impressive.  His  own  life  was  the 
ablest  sermon  he  ever  preached  on  the  subject  with  which  his 
name  is  so  intimately  associated.  He  lived  "  the  higher  life," 
even  more  than  he  preached  it.  His  sweet,  gentle,  and  holy 
walk  was  both  more  eloquent  and  convincing  than  his  most 
impassioned  discourses.  His  dying  words — fitting  culmina- 
tion to  his  sacred  life — will  echo  in  Christian  song  clown  the 
centuries  :  "  Sweeping  through  the  gates,  washed  in  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb !" 

R.  S.  FOSTER. 

MADISON,  N.  J.,  July,  1873. 


"  Suffer  me  to  imitate  the  passion  of  my  God.  My  Love  is  crucified ; 
there  is  no  fire  in  me  desiring  earthly  fuel ;  that  which  lives  and  speaks 
within  me  says — '  Home  to  the  Father.' " 

St.  Ignatius  yearning  for  Martyrdom. 


LIFE  OF  ALFRED  COOKMAN. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE   COOKMAN    FAMILY. — GEORGE   GRIMSTON   COOKMAN. 

THE  REV.  ALFRED  COOKMAN  was  descended  from  a  worthy 
ancestry.  His  father,  the  Rev.  George  Grimston  Cookman,  was 
a  man  of  such  powers  and  fame ;  his  talents  and  reputation  be- 
came, by  so  remarkable  a  providence,  the  inheritance  of  his 
son;  his  influence  upon  the  son  was  so  direct  and  continuous, 
that  I  find,  in  the  absence  of  any  adequate  account  of  the  father, 
it  is  quite  impossible  to  do  justice  to  either  without  dwelling 
more  fully  on  the  career  of  the  father  than  a  biography  of  the 
son  would  seem  to  allow.  While  it  might  be  honor  enough  for 
George  G.  Cookman  to  be  remembered  as  the  father  of  Alfred, 
yet  there  was  that  in  him  —  in  what  he  was  and  did — which 
makes  it  proper  that  no  extended  memoir  be  given  of  the  son 
without  such  a  portraiture  of  the  father  as  shall  be  in  some  de- 
gree worthy  of  his  distinguished  character  and  services. 

My  apology  for  dwelling  longer  on  the  annals  of  the  father 
than  is  customary  in  such  cases,  is  the  simple  desire  to  so  pre- 
sent the  name  of  Cookman,  made  illustrious  first  in  the  father, 
and  maintained  afterward  in  the  son,  as  that  it  shall  be  trans- 
mitted an  unbroken  name,  suggestive  of  sanctity,  eloquence, 
and  usefulness  wherever  known  and  pronounced. 

George  Grimston  Cookman  was  born  in  the  town  of  King- 
ston-upon -Hull,  Yorkshire,  England,  October  21,  1800.  His 


20  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

parents  were  George  and  Mary  Cookman.  Of  these  parents 
George  himself  wrote  in  1825  to  Miss  Mary  Barton,  who  was 
then  his  betrothed,  and  afterward  became  his  wife  :  "  My  father 
is  the  younger  brother  of  an  old  English  family  who,  as  sturdy 
yeomanry,  had  resided  upon  their  family  estates  in  the  east  end 
of  Holderness  for  five  generations  back.  My  father  left  home 
early  in  life,  and  at  eighteen  years  of  age  became  serious,  and 
a  member  and  local  preacher  in  the  Methodist  Society.  He  is 
constant  in  all  his  purposes,  and  unwavering  in  all  his  attach- 
ments—  a  judicious  rather  than  a  romantic  husband,  a  kind 
rather  than  a  fond  father.  He  is  independent  in  his  principles 
even  to  the  verge  of  republicanism  ;  what  the  world  terms  a 
downright  honest  man.  Yet  there  are  perplexing  paradoxes  in 
his  character.  Possessing  genuine,  active  courage,  he  hides  it 
under  a  natural  diffidence  and  modesty;  with  deep  and  strong 
feeling,  he  will  generally  pass  for  what  Alfred  calls  a  phlegmat- 
ic melancholic.  Indeed,  he  has  brought  himself  under  so  se- 
vere mental  discipline  and  such  habitual  caution,  that  he  re- 
presses all  that  gives  a  glow  to  feeling  or  a  brilliance  to  thought 
under  the  fear  of  committing  himself.  But  when  you  can  draw 
him  out  of.  his  shell,  you  find  he  can  conceive  and  feel  and 
speak  with  both  brilliance  and  power.  As  a  Christian,- he  is 
eminently  consistent,  liberal,  and  unwavering.  I  have  some- 
times thought  that  his  habitual  judgment  has  induced  a  want 
of  faith  in  temporal  matters,  but  I  have  met  with  few  men  so 
even  and  constant  in  their  religious-  walk.  Now  my  mother  is 
almost  the  reverse  of  all  this.  She  was  the  daughter  of  a  re- 
tired and  wounded  officer  of  the  Royal  Navy ;  was  left  an  orphan 
in  early  life,  and  was  educated  in  the  same  house  with  her  cou- 
sin, Mr.  John  Bell,  of  Portington.  She  became  pious  in  early 
life,  and  endured  much  persecution  from  her  uncle  with  un- 
flinching courage.  She  enjoyed  the  blessing  of  perfect  love  for 
many  years,  and  when  in  health  was  eminent  for  activity  and 
good  works.  She  possesses  a  much  higher  range  of  talent 


THE   COOKMAN    FAMILY.  21 

than  my  father — has  more  genius  and  less  judgment — romantic 
in  all  her  feelings,  ardent  in  her  attachments  and  resentments. 
She  has  ten  times  as  much  faith  as  my  father.  She  has  a  keen, 
ready  mind,  but  wants  comparison  and  discrimination.  She 
has  a  vehemency  of  impulse,  and  a  strength  and  decision  of 
will,  and  a  power  of  faith  which,  if  it  had  been  united  with  a 
strong  frame  in  the  other  sex,  would  have  made  her  an  eminent 
missionary.  Now  my  father  professes  little,  but  feels  a  great 
deal;  my  mother  feels  deeply,  and  tells  you  of  it  too."  He  had 
a  brother,  Alfred,  younger  than  himself  by  four  years,  and  a  sis- 
ter, Mary  Ann.  Of  them  he  also  wrote,  in  order  to  complete  the 
picture  of  the  family:  "Alfred  is  the  finest  youth  I  have  ever 
met  with — high  in  all  his  notions,  lofty  and  liberal  in  his  prin- 
ciples. Pride  and  ambition  are  his  ruling  passions.  Of  lion- 
like  spirit,  headstrong  self-will,  and  a  most  vehement  and  over- 
bearing temper,  the  world  will  see  in  him  a  second  Brougham. 
And  yet  I  know  no  one  to  whom  you  might  commit  yourself 
for  candid  judgment  with  greater  confidence  than  our  Alfred. 
Mary  Ann,  my  beloved  Mary  Ann,  is  a  most  affectionate  and 
amiable  girl.  I  thought  two  years  ago  she  would  be  a  tame,  pass- 
ive character,  but  she  is  developing  striking  and  spirited  traits. 
She  has  more  perseverance  and  judgment  for  her  years  than 
either  I  or  Alfred.  I  think  she  will  not  be  behind  either  in 
intellect,  and  before  both  in  prudence." 

What  is  here  said  of  his  brother  Alfred  is  not  too  strongly 
put.  From  the  testimony  of  friends,  and  the  proofs  given  in  his 
letters,  essays,  and  speeches,  he  must  have  been  a  youth  of  un- 
usual promise.  He  early  devoted  himself  to  God,  and  became 
one  of  the  most  exemplary  Christians.  His  tastes  and  convic- 
tions led  him  to  choose  the  law. for  his  profession.  When  this 
preference  was  expressed,  the  judicious  father  laid  before  him 
all  the  difficulties  which  would  lie  in  his  path :  The  long  and 
expensive  process  of  college  and  professional  education  ;  the 
still  longer  period  which  must  elapse  before  he  could  reasonably 


22  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

expect  to  get  into  practice ;  the  want  of  patronage ;  the  envy  of 
the  aristocracy,  ever  manifested  to  aspirants  at  the  bar  spring- 
ing from  the  middle  classes  of  society;  and  concluded  by  say- 
ing, "Remember,  Alfred,  if  you  insist  on  this  course,  the  whole 
of  your  patrimonial  fortune  will  be  expended  on  your  education ;" 
to  which  Alfred  fearlessly  and  magnanimously  replied,  "I  care 
not  when  I  enter  the  bar  if  I  have  not  a  shilling.  I  will  make 
my  own  fortune,  you  may  depend  upon  it."  His  facility  of 
speech,  readiness  in  debate,  quickness  of  perception,  wit — his 
striking  person,  and  deep-toned  and  melodious  voice — made  him 
from  boyhood  "one  of  nature's  orators."  On  one  occasion,  in 
the  debating  society  of  which  he  was  a  member,  a  gentleman  of 
the  bar  from  London  chanced  to  hear  him,  and  remarked  aft- 
erward, "  I  would  give  my  library,  and  all  I  am  worth  in  the 
world,  to  have  the  amazing  power  of  reply  exhibited  by  that  boy." 
He  passed  successfully  through  the  course  at  Glasgow  Univer- 
sity, where  he  had  the  most  capable  of  instructors,  and  listened 
on  Sundays  to  such  preachers  as  Chalmers  and  Wardlaw. 

After  his  graduation  from  the  University,  he  went  up  to 
London  and  entered  a  law-office.  While  engaged  in  his  studies 
there,  he  became  convinced  of  his  duty  to  preach  the  Gospel. 
He  determined  to  enter  the  ministry ;  and  accordingly  returned 
home,  and  began  to  apply  himself  unremittingly  to  a  course  of 
reading  preparatory  to  admission  into  the  Wesleyan  Conference. 
His  application  was  too  close,  his  vigils  too  protracted ;  his 
health  failed,  and  he  speedily  fell  into  a  pulmonary  consump- 
tion from  which  he  died. 

Mr.  Cookman,  the  father,  was  one  of  the  best  representatives 
of  the  English  middle  class.  By  success  in  trade  he  rose  to 
that  degree  of  affluence  which  enabled  him  to  live  in  a  style  of 
great  comfort  and  quiet  dignity;  by  his  reputation  for  sound 
judgment  and  probity,  he  acquired  the  respect  and  confidence 
of  his  fellow-citizens,  and  was  elected  mayor  of  Hull,  a  position 
which  he  retained  for  many  years;  and  by  his  earnest  and  con- 


GEORGE   GRIMSTON   COOKMAN.  23 

sistent  devotion  to  the  doctrines  and  usages  of  Wesleyan  Meth- 
odism, he  enjoyed  the  loyal  affection  of  both  the  preachers  and 
laymen  of  his  denomination  throughout  his  neighborhood.  His 
good  sense,  genial  piety,  and  generous  hospitality  made  his 
house  a  centre  of  Methodist  influence.  In  politics  he  sympa- 
thized with  the  more  advanced  men  and  measures  of  his  times. 

It  is  evident,  however,  that  the  mother,  from  the  brief  descrip- 
tion already  given,  was  the  inspiration  of  the  Cookman  home. 
Her  ardent  temperament,  vivid  imagination,  active  faith,  and 
courage,  imparted  to  the  sons  the  living  spark  which  kindled  in 
them  a  genius  for  speech  and  for  the  heroic  in  action.  She 
was  one  of  the  women  of  gentle  birth  who  became  a  Methodist 
when  it  was  a  reproach  to  be  one ;  and,  persecuted  for  her  faith 
by  her  own  family,  she  knew  what  it  was  to  hold  to  convictions 
when  it  required  the  keenest  suffering  to  do  so.  At  the  shrine 
of  her  self-denying  piety  was  lighted  the  flame  of  the  future 
missionary's  zeal — a  zeal  which  burned  in  him  resistlessly  till 
quenched  in  death.  Thus  we  see  that  the  parent  stock  from 
which  the  Cookmans  of  this  and  a  former  generation  were  de- 
rived was  one  combining  in  the  father  and  the  mother  that  hap- 
py union  of  qualities  which  usually  gives  rise  in  the  offspring  to 
distinguished  powers  and  successes. 

George  Grimston,  as  the  eldest  born  of  his  parents,  very  nat- 
urally received  a  large  share  of  their  attention.  In  an  account 
of  himself  written  in  1826,  before  entering  the  regular  ministry, 
with  a  view  to  his  own  improvement,  he  records,  "  Never  was  a 
child  more  carefully  instructed,  more  carefully  watched  over,  or 
more  earnestly  exhorted  by  Christian  parents  to  love  and  serve 
God  than  myself.  And  perhaps  up  to  my  eighth  year  the  in- 
fluence of  these  gracious  instructions  so  far  operated  as  to  pre- 
serve me  from  the  guilt  of  actual  sin."  At  this  time  he  was  sent 
away  to  school ;  where,  through  evil  associations,  he  was  led 
astray  and  fell  into  some  sinful  habits.  He  was,  however,  at 
this  early  period  the  subject  of  keen  convictions  of  conscience. 


24  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

He  lived  with  the  fear  that  every  night  would  be  the  end  of  the 
world.  While  the  other  boys  of  the  school  were  sleeping  qui- 
etly, he  would  be  standing  at  the  chamber  window,  "  momenta- 
rily expecting  the  Judge  to  descend  and  the  trumpet  to  blow." 
His  views  of  sin  and  of  personal  guilt  were  not  such  as  to  lead 
to  repentance.  He  was  soon  after  removed  to  another  school 
at  a  fashionable  watering-place,  where  he  began  "  a  career  of 
more  decided  sin  and  folly."  At  fourteen  he  returned  home  a 
different  being,  changed  in  principle  and  purpose — far  astray 
from  the  simplicity  with  which  at  eight  he  had  left  the  parental 
roof.  His  father  took  him  promptly  under  his  care,  and  through 
his  guidance  he  imbibed  a  taste  for  books,  and  became  a  read- 
er especially  of  history.  He  was  put  to  business,  kept  dili- 
gently at  work,  but  was  encouraged  to  read  in  all  his  leisure 
hours.  He  became  a  member  of  a  public  library  association, 
and  formed,  with  several  other  intelligent  young  men,  a  debating 
club,  thus  finding  in  literary  pursuits  a  wholesome  diversion  for 
his  active  nature,  and  also  a  means  of  stimulating  and  train- 
ing his  intellect.  In  contact  with  Grecian  and  Roman  charac- 
ters and  institutions,  he  acquired  thevlofty  notions  of  freedom 
and  the  rights  of  man  which  marked  his  subsequent  career. 
Literature,  though  attractive,  did  not  reform  him  ;  business  was 
incapable  of  it :  he  gave  the  reins  to  passion,  and  plunged  into 
the  stream  of  worldliness. 

When  about  eighteen  years  old  he  became  a  teacher  in  a 
Methodist  Sunday-school.  He  was  impelled  by  motives  which 
he  could  not  regard  as  genuine :  "I  approved  of  the  design  the- 
oretically ;  besides,  my  parents  being  Methodists,  I  thought  I 
should  assist  in  their  Sabbath-school;  but  I  had  no  more  knowl- 
edge or  regard  for  the  religious  duty  or  responsibility  of  a  teach- 
er than  the  babe  unborn."  He  was  convicted  of  sin  through 
the  questioning  of  his  scholars  as  to  the  meaning  of  God's  Word. 
"I  began  seriously  to  think  and  reason  about  the  matter  in 
.  the  following  way  :  Why,  I  have  come  forward  to  instruct  these 


GEORGE  G.  COOKMAN'S  RELIGIOUS  AWAKENING.          25 

children,  and  I  am  ignorant  myself.  I,  who  talk  to  them  about 
serving  God,  am  serving  the  devil,  and  on  the  road  to  hell — 
yea,  every  boy  in  my  class  might  turn  round  and  say,  '  Physi- 
cian, heal  thyself.' " 

I  can  not  give  the  story  of  his  conversion  more  succinctly 
than  he  has  done  it :  "  These  goadings  and  lashings  of  a  con- 
demning conscience  made  me  miserable,  and  compelled  me  to 
a  more  close  examination  of  my  condition ;  and  soon  I  saw 
that  I  was  miserable  and  helpless,  and  blind  and  naked  ;  that  I 
stood  obnoxious  to  God's  holy  law ;  was  under  the  Almighty's 
curse,  and  each  moment  in  danger  of  everlasting  ruin.  Still, 
however,  I  was  rather  convicted  in  judgment  than  broken  in 
heart,  and  it  is  probable  that  these  gracious  impressions  would 
have  been  overwhelmed  by  the  strong  bias  of  my  mind  to  evil  • 
but  the  good  Lord  added  one  or  two  other  circumstances  to 
aid  and  quicken  the  spiritual  conviction.  Just  at  that  time  I 
was  disappointed  in  a  particular  friendship,  which  sickened  and 
soured  my  mind  to  this  world's  enjoyments,  and  immediately 
upon  this,  the  dearest  friend  I  had  in  the  world,  after  an  illness 
of  three  days,  died.  This  was  the  consummation  of  my  mis- 
ery ;  it  seemed  the  final  blow.  I  was  tired  of  life,  yet  afraid  to 
die ;  I  was  indulging  in  the  world,  yet  sick  of  its  pleasures ; 
amid  society,  I  was  solitary ;  while  within  my  own  heart  I  car- 
ried the  alarm-bell  of  a  guilty  conscience  —  in  short,  I  hated 
life,  I  hated  myself,  I  was  miserable;  this  misery  was  not  re- 
pentance ;  it  was  misanthropy,  not  contrition.  And,  indeed,  so 
well  convinced  was  I  of  this,  that  when  the  pious  Methodists 
kindly  invited  me  to  partake  of  the  blessings  of  Christian  com- 
munion, I  told  them  that  I  was  totally  unfit  to  be  a  member  of 
their  society,  as  I  had  not  a  desire  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come.  I  had  no  soft  compunctions  on  account  of  sin,  no  reali- 
zation of  guilt  toward  God ;  but  the  obdurate  misery  and  wretch- 
edness of  a  disappointed  votary  of  pleasure.  Thus  I  contin- 
ued as  miserable  as  I  could  be.  Yet  I  did  reform  my  outward 

B 


26  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

conduct ;  I  did  forsake  my  gay  and  frivolous  companions ;  nay, 
more,  I  acted  diligently  as  secretary  in  a  large  Sabbath-school, 
and  endeavored,  amid  a  multiplicity  of  business,  to  bury  all 
knowledge  and  memory  of  myself.  But  this  arose  not  from  any 
clear  sense  of  duty,  or  any  love  to  God  or  men,  but  simply  be- 
cause I  was  sick  and  tired  of  the  world ;  and,  as  I  could  not 
enjoy  it,  I  forsook  it.  At  length,  however,  the  day-spring  arose 
in  my  benighted  soul;  the  light  of  grace  showed  me  more  per- 
spicuously my  real  condition.  I  saw  that  I  had  lost  the  image 
of  God — bore  the  image  of  the  Evil  One ;  that  I  was  ignorant 
in  understanding,  corrupt  and  deceitful  in  heart, polluted  in  body, 
and  desperately  wicked  in  conduct.  I  saw  that  in  my  present 
state  it  was  impossible  I  could  be  saved,  for  '  without  holiness 
no  man  can  see  the  Lord.'  I  saw  clearly  that  I  must  be  eter- 
nally lost;  for  already  I  was  under  sentence  of  death,  and  God 
was  bound  by  his  immutable  word  to  punish  all  transgression. 
"  Under  these  gracious  convictions,  having  fully  resolved  to 
seek  salvation,  to  renounce  the  world,  and  to  serye  God,  I  joined 
the  Methodist  Society  in  February,  1820,  and  soon  I  found  the 
blessings  of  Christian  fellowship.  Under  the  fatherly  instruc- 
tion and  care  of  my  excellent  leader,  light  beamed  brighter 
into  my  soul ;  I  was  called  to  see  deeper  into  my  own  deprav- 
ity, and  finally  I  clearly  apprehended  that  salvation  was  only  to 
be  obtained  by  faith  in  a  crucified  Redeemer.  Nine  months 
did  I  seek  the  blessing  of  justification  earnestly  and  with  many 
tears.  Often  in  secret  places,  in  garrets,  in  the  open  fields,  or 
under  hedges,  I  have  poured  forth  my  requests  with  strong  cries, 
but  still  the  day  of  liberty  seemed  at  a  distance,  until  I  had 
well-nigh  despaired.  One  Saturday  night  I  had  retired  to  rest 
under  considerable  condemnation  for  having  indulged  in  an  ac- 
rimonious spirit  toward  a  near  relative.  I  recollect,  before  I 
fell  asleep,  this  passage  gave  me  considerable  trouble, '  Let  not 
the  sun  go  down  upon  thy  wrath.'  I  awoke  (I  believe  by  the 
providence  of  God)  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  my 


CONVERSION   AND   RELIGIOUS   ACTIVITY.  27 

misery  and  horror  of  mind  were  indescribable.  All  the  weight 
of  my  sins  seemed  now  bearing  down  upon  my  wretched  soul, 
and  ready  to  force  me  down  to  that  bottomless  pit  which  ap- 
peared just  yawning ;  in  this  situation  I  cried  mightily  to  God 
for  deliverance  and  pardon,  but  the  heavens  were  as  brass  to 
my  prayers,  and  the  storm  of  Almighty  wrath  increased  apace. 
My  agony  of  mind  was  now  wrought  up  to  its  highest  pitch, 
when  suddenly  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  Christ  on  Calvary;  then  I 
cried  with  the  desperation  of  a  drowning  man, '  Lord,  I  believe ; 
help  Thou  my  unbelief!'  '  Lord,  save  or  I  perish !'  '  Though 
Thou  slay  me,  yet  will  I  believe  in  Thee  ! '  And  suddenly  there 
was  a  great  calm — the  storm  was  hushed — the  burden  was  gone 
— and  I  felt  that  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  had  forgiven  me  all 
my  sins.  Being  justified  by  faith,  I  had  peace  with  God  through 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  It  is  true  I  had  not  that  rapturous  joy 
which  some  testify ;  but  I  had  the  peace  which  passeth  all  un- 
derstanding. Oh !  yes ;  the  Spirit  did  bear  witness  with  my 
spirit  that  I  wjj-s  a  child  of  God.  I  lay  me  down,  and  sweetly 
fell  asleep ;  and  in  the  morning,  when  I  awoke,  I  asked,  Is  this 
a  dream  ?  And  I  felt  it  was  indeed  a  truth  that  I  was  justified 
freely  through  the  blood  of  Christ." 

The  young  believer  now  found  a  great  difference  in  his  ex- 
perience, not  only  in  the  comfort  which  arose  from  a  sense  of 
acceptance  with  God,  but  also  in  the  easy  victory  over  sin  which 
his  spiritual  renewal  had  bestowed.  Nor  was  he  content  to 
rest  in  the  experience  of  divine  favor;  he  at  once  gave  himself 
to  religious  work  in  various  plans  of  benevolence,  such  as  the 
Young  Men's  Visiting  Society  and  the  Juvenile  Branch  Mis- 
sionary Society.  Yearning  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  he  began 
very  soon  to  feel  the  desire  "  for  a  broader  field  of  labor  as  a 
preacher  of  righteousness."  His  views  of  a  call  to  the  ministry 
were  so  positive  as  not  to  allow  him  to  go  forward  hurriedly. 
"Indeed,  so  jealous  was  I  of  my  own  heart,  and  so  severe  in 
my  notions  upon  this  subject,  that  I  was  resolved,  if  this  call 


28  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

was  not  unanswerably  given  from  God  to  my  soul,  I  would  for- 
ever remain  silent." 

In  keeping  with  this  purpose,  not  to  run  before  he  was  called, 
Mr.  Cookman  kept  steadily  on  his  way,  following  closely  the  in- 
dications of  Providence  and  of  the  Spirit  as  he  could  discern 
them.  In  1821  he  visited  America  on  business  for  his  father; 
and  returning,  was  as  deeply  engrossed  as  any  other  young 
man  of  business,  doing  with  diligence  the  duty  which  lay  next 
to  him.  After  a  lapse  of  over  two  years  I  find  him  breathing 
the  same  devout  and  evangelical  spirit,  with  a  persuasion  that 
God,  amid  severe  trials  and  with  great  opportunities,  was 
grounding  him  in  the  truth,  and  conforming  his  heart  more  and 
more  to  His  own  will.  January  22,  1823,  he  writes:  "I  have 
been  composing  the  skeleton  of  my  first  sermon  from  i  Cor. 
ii.,  2.  Sunday  fortnight  I  am  to  preach  at  St.  Paul.*  When  I 
consider  my  unworthiness,  I  am  ready  to  sink  into  the  dust. 
Lord,  prepare  me."  A  week  before  preaching  he  asks, "  Have  I 
a  clear  call  to  preach  the  Gospel  ?"  and  upon  examining  himself 
by  five  tests,  concludes  "that  a  dispensation  of  grace  is  commit- 
ted to  me,  and  woe  be  to  me  if  I  preach  not  the  Gospel."  In 
addition  to  the  usual  tests  which  occurred  to  him,  was  the  im- 
pression received  while  in  America,  and  while  on  shipboard, 
that  he  must  preach  the  Gospel,  "and  that  too  in  America." 
He  had  gone  to  America  for  secular  ends,  but  God  had  already 
decreed  his  return  to  America  on  a  higher  errand.  His  first  pul- 
pit efforts  were  well  received.  He  preached  quite  regularly, 
and  showed  from  the  first  the  elements  of  power.  The  mission- 
ary ardor  was  kindling  in  his  soul.  His  father  proposed  to  es- 
tablish him  in  business ;  but  he  wished  to  cut  loose  from  all 
such  entanglements,  and  enter  himself  forthwith  at  an  Ameri- 
can college  for  a  course  of  preparation  for  the  ministry.  He 
yielded,  however,  to  the  dissuasions  of  his  father  and  friends, 
who  thought  him  already  in  the  best  possible  school  of  prepa- 

*  Hull. 


GEORGE   G.  COOKMAN   BEGINS   TO   PREACH.  29 

ration  and  in  the  path  of  duty.  Without  abandoning  his  purpose 
to  preach,  he  waited  upon  God,  resolving  to  do  his  duty,  and 
leave  consequences  with  God. 

After  a  sermon  preached  at  the  Scott  Street  Chapel,  he  was 
greatly  depressed.  "I  had  entered  the  pulpit  with  a  com- 
fortable assurance  of  the  divine  favor,  when,  strange  to  tell,  all 
upon  a  sudden  my  mind  was  beclouded;  and,  although  I  was 
perfectly  master  of  the  subject,  I  was  yet  bound  in  spirit." 
"  I  expected  no  one  could  profit ;  but,  to  my  amazement,  almost 
all  expressed  themselves  as  being  much  edified."  He  could 
not  fail  of  a  valuable  lesson  from  this  experience.  Within  a 
short  time  he  made  his  first  platform  address,  and  achieved,  in 
this  maiden  effort,  that  marked  success  which,  so  often  repeated 
in  after  years,  constituted  him  a  prince  among  platform  speak- 
ers. "When  I  ascended  the  platform  my  soul  seemed  weighed 
down  with  a  sense  of  my  unfitness.  '  Oh !  my  God,'  I  could 
not  help  crying,  '  why  am  I  here  ?  These  poor  heathen  never 
trifled  away  privileges  as  I  have  done.'  When  my  name  was 
called  from  the  chair,  I  was  in  this  low  state.  I  thought  at  first 
(owing  to  a  violent  hoarseness)  that  I  should  have  to  sit  down, 
but  just  at  this  instant  divine  light  broke  in  upon  my  soul,  my 
voice  cleared,  my  heart  filled  with  holy  love  and  fire,  and  I  was 
enabled  to  speak  with  a  force  unknown  before.  The  place 
was  filled  with  the  heavenly  influence,  and  the  loud,  silvery,  and 
hearty  amens  were  affecting  and  cheering.  Nothing  afflicted 
me  so  much  as  the  compliments  of  my  friends.  It  seemed  dis- 
honoring God ;  because  I  am  convinced  He  gave  the  power  and 
sent  the  influence.  The  Lord  shall  have  all  the  glory."  It  is 
not  difficult  for  those  who  subsequently  heard  Mr.  Cookman  in 
this  peculiar  realm,  at  the  zenith  of  his  popularity,  to  imagine 
the  utter  wonder  and  pleasure  which  this  beginning  of  surprises 
must  have  occasioned  to  those  who  were  present. 

The  purpose  of  God  with  his  young  servant  was  now  fast  show- 
ing itself.  The  apple  was  well-nigh  ripe,  when  it  either  would 


30  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

fall  of  itself  or  could  be  easily  plucked.  Mr.  Joshua  Marsden 
strongly  recommended  him  to  offer  himself  to  the  American 
(Methodist)  bishops,  to  take  a  circuit  in  the  first  instance  ;  aft- 
erwards, if  Providence  opened  the  way,  he  could  enter  upon  the 
missionary  work.  But  he  had  engaged  in  business  with  his  fa- 
ther for  the  term  of  three  years,  after  which  time  he  proposed 
to  turn  his  attention  more  decidedly  to  the  ministry,  with  the 
intention  of  going  to  America.  His  diary  bears  evidence  at 
this  period  of  the  closest  heart  searchings;  of  the  deepest  and 
the  most  unaffected  devotion  to  the  service  of  Christ.  The 
prayer  is  constantly  on  his  lips,  "What  wilt  Thou  have  me 
do?"  There  is  no  duty  which  he  does  not  discharge,  no  self- 
sacrifice  from  which  he  shrinks  :  he  is  ready  to  do  any  work,  to 
go,  if  need  be,  to  the  ends  of  the  earth  to  preach  the  Gospel. 

While  his  mind  was  particularly  exercised  in  regard  to  an  im- 
mediate entrance  upon  the  ministry,  he  was  appointed  to  drive 
Mr.Clough  (one  of  the  circuit  preachers  of  Hull)  to  Partington. 
Mr.  Clough  impressed  upon  him  the  duty  of  present  action,  if 
he  would  not  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit ;  another  young  friend,  and 
to  his  surprise  the  Rev.  Mr.  W.  EntwiStle,  on  whom  he  shortly 
after  called,  expressed  the  same  view.  Considerably  agitated 
by  such  a  concurrence  of  opinions,  he  laid  the  whole  matter  be- 
fore his  father,  fully  anticipating  his  decided  negative  for  the 
present,  when,  to  his  great  surprise,  his  father  frankly  told  him 
that  he  had  long  been  of  the  opinion  that  he  was  called  to  the 
ministry;  and  that,  although  his  immediate  departure  might 
cause  inconvenience,  yet  he  would  not  throw  one  stumbling- 
block  in  his  way,  but  rather  further  the  ordinations  of  Providence 
by  ever)'  prudent  arrangement.  As  might  have  been  anticipated, 
his  mother  fully  coincided  with  this  judgment,  and  "was  perfect- 
ly willing  to  give  him  up  to  the  Lord."  Thus  every  obstacle  to 
his  full  devotion  to  the  ministry,  and  to  his  going  to  America  as 
the  field  of  its  exercise,  was  removed,  and  his  decision  was  ac- 
cordingly made  to  emigrate  at  the  earliest  opportunity. 


GEORGE  G.  COOKMAN   SAILS   FOR   AMERICA.  31 

Happy  in  the  decision  which  freed  him  from  suspense,  and 
introduced  him  into  the  definite  course  of  his  life,  he  was  all 
aflame  with  zeal  for  the  work  which  lay  before  him.  "My  peace 
flows  as  a  river,  and  my  heart  exults  to  reflect  that  in  a_few 
months  I  may  be  permitted  to  preach  Christ  crucified  to  the 
poor  blacks  of  Maryland."  He  could  find  no  figures  so  ade- 
quate to  express  his  ardor  as  that  of  the  racer  restless  for  the 
course,  or  the  soldier  in  the  battle  eager  for  the  conflict.  This 
ardor,  while  it  may  not  have  been  wholly  void  of  the  adventur- 
ous element  which  springs  from  the  prospect  of  strange  and 
hazardous  enterprise,  was  nourished  by  the  closest  contact  with 
the  great  heart  of  the  Redeemer,  and  in  the  one  simple  pur- 
pose to  save  perishing  men.  He  breathed  constantly  for  en- 
tire deadness  to  the  world  and  the  spirit  of  true  holiness,  evi- 
dently regarding  his  mission  as  one  of  utter  self-renunciation 
in  the  pursuit  of  the  divine  glory.  "Although  privations  and 
persecutions  or  shipwreck  may  await  me,  I  feel  strong  in  the 
Lord, determined  to  obey  His  will  at  all  hazards."  Such  a  young 
man  was  fit  to  follow  a  Coke,  an  Asbury,  and  even  a  Paul,  over 
the  sea  in  the  sublime  work  of  bringing  continents  to  God. 
"  I  must  be  a  man  of  one  work — dead  to  the  world,  and  alive 
to  Christ." 

The  28th  of  March,  1825,  was  finally  definitely  fixed  upon  as 
the  day  of  departure  for  America.  The  last  days  and  hours 
were  spent  in  preaching,  visits,  farewells,  and  preparations.  The 
little  brig  Orient  weighed  anchor  at  the  time  appointed,  and 
bore  away  westward  with  her  devout  and  expectant  passenger. 
The  long  voyage  was  not  idle  or  irksome ;  the  whole  of  its  time 
was  diligently  consumed  in  close  study  and  multifarious  read- 
ing; in  meditating  and  maturing  plans  of  usefulness.  He  thor- 
oughly digested  such  works  as  Bishop  Watson's  Apologies, 
Mason  on  Self-Knowledge,  Jenyn's  Views  of  the  Internal  Evi- 
dences of  Christianity,  Lord  Lyttleton's  Arguments  for  Chris- 
tianity, Baxter's  Gildas  Salvianus  and  Saint's  Rest,  and  Butler's 


32  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Analogy.  He  preached  to  the  seamen  as  occasion  offered,  dis- 
tributed tracts,  and  otherwise  labored  among  them.  What  is 
most  striking,  however,  was  the  constancy  of  his  devotions,  and 
the  watchfulness  he  exercised  over  his  own  spirit.  "  I  have 
been  reflecting  upon  Baxter's  warning  of  settling  any  where 
short  of  heaven,  or  reposing  our  souls  to  rest  on  any  thing  be- 
low God.  Ah !  how  little  do  I  think  of  this.  This  deceit- 
ful heart  would  fain  set  up  its  rest — not,  indeed,  in  riches,  hon- 
ors, etc.,  but  in  creature  love,  a  Gospel  Church,  gracious  ordi- 
nances. This  will  not  do.  They  are  the  means,  not  the  rest 
itself.  This  is  the  ingenious  device  of  Satan,  by  which  we  are 
seduced  into  a  species  of  spiritual  idolatry.  Strive,  O  my  soul, 
to  consider  thyself  as  a  pilgrim  in  this  wilderness,  and  rest  in 
naught  but  God !" 

Just  before  landing,  retarded  by  calms,  he  took  advantage  of 
the  smooth  sea  and  quiet  waiting  to  re-examine  the  motives 
which  led  him  to  America.  "This  is  no  womanish  employ; 
this  ministerial  work  is  no  fine  theory  of  fancy.  It  requires  all 
the  firmness,  courage,  perseverance,  zeal,  faith  of  the  veteran 
soldier.  Therefore,  I  must  fix  my  principles,  and  draw  them 
from  the  fountain  of  all  wisdom.  I  bless  God  my  soul  can 
calmly  rejoice  in  the  prospect,  and  yield  all  up  to  the  will  and 
direction  of  God."  "  Now,  then,  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  I 
will  go  forth  to  the  Lord's  work  in  this  my  adopted  country." 
Would  that  more  young  men  entering  upon  the  divine  apostle- 
ship  could  have  an  "Arabia"  of  three  or  more  months,  or  even 
years,  on  shipboard  or  elsewhere  such  as  he  had  ! 

On  Sunday,  May  16, 1825,  the  Orient  sailed  up  the  Delaware 
Bay  and  River.  Mr.  Cookman  was  sorry  to  fall  short  of  reach- 
ing Philadelphia  in  time  for  the  services  of  the  sanctuary;  but 
he  had  so  drilled  himself  to  make  the  best  of  circumstances, 
that  he  found  compensation  in  secret  communion  with  God  and 
in  thoughts  of  friends  afar.  He  wrote  to  a  friend  :  "  This  voy- 
age has  been  profitable,  both  in  an  intellectual  and  spiritual 


HIS   ARRIVAL   AT   PHILADELPHIA.  33 

point  of  view.  I  have  been  grounding  myself  in  the  grand 
principles  of  the  Gospel.  *  *  *  I  have  preached  several  times 
to  this  most  wicked  crew,  and  I  have  been  blessed  to  the 
captain's  good,  who  is  resolved  to  turn  over  a  new  leaf.  Pa- 
tience has  had  its  perfect  work.  *  *  *  I  have  found  it  good 
to  lay  my  will  at  the  Redeemer's  feet.  *  *  *  I  have  had  pain- 
ful views  of  the  depravity  of  this  corrupt  heart,  and  this  has 
stimulated  me  particularly  to  plead  for  the  whole  image  and 
purity  of  Christ,  so  that  the  fire  of  divine  love  might  devour 
all  the  grossness  of  sense  and  sin.  *  *  *  Here  then  we  are 
on  the  Delaware.  I  regret  that  I  can  not  assemble  the  crew 
and  passengers  for  public  worship,  as  the  pilot  keeps  all  the 
former  in  working  the  vessel  up  the  river.  I  felt  melancholy 
this  morning  in  looking  on  shore  and  beholding  nature  in  all 
its  bloom,  the  sun  careering  in  the  firmament,  and  then  think- 
ing, 'Ah !  the  people  of  God  are  now  repairing  to  His  holy  tem- 
ple to  worship  at  His  feet.'  Nevertheless,  I  retired  to  my  little 
cabin,  and  the  Lord  visited  the  temple  of  my  heart,  and  spoke 
graciously  and  comfortably  to  His  poor  servant.  I  have  re- 
newed my  missionary  covenant.  I  am  the  Lord's :  the  same 
great  principles  which  called  me  forth  remain  with  augmented 
force  ;  I  go  wherever  He  commands." 

B  2 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE   REV.  GEORGE  G.  COOKMAN   IN   AMERICA. — THE   BIRTH   OF 
ALFRED. 

MR.  COOKMAN  was  cordially  received  by  the  Methodists  of 
Philadelphia,  among  whom  he  lived  and  labored  as  a  local 
preacher,  in  connection  with  St.  George's  Church,  until  the  fol- 
lowing spring.  He  was  incessant  in  labors,  not  only  in  preach- 
ing as  opportunity  offered,  but  visiting  the  sick,  the  prisons,  and 
hospitals.  He  also  organized  a  class  of  young  persons,  which 
included  among  its  members  John  McClintock,  Charles  Whit- 
acre,  and  William  and  Leonard  Gilder,  all  of  whom  subsequent- 
ly became  ministers  of  the  Gospel.  During  a  protracted  sick- 
ness of  Mr.  William  Barnes,  the  preacher  in  charge,  he  supplied 
the  pulpit  of  St.  George's. 

At  the  session  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  in  1826,  he  was  appointed  to  Kensing- 
ton and  St.  John's  churches,  Philadelphia.  Falling  thus  softly 
into  the  regular  ministry  did  not  suit  either  the  design  or  the 
wishes  of  the  young  hero,  whose  soul  was  burning  for  its  mis- 
sion to  the  Africans.  He  had  left  England  to  convert  the  ne- 
groes, and  it  was  not  to  his  mind  to  become  a  pastor  amid  the 
ease  and  refinements  of  civilized  life.  He  was  patient,  however, 
and  sought  constantly,  in  the  utmost  self-denial,  the  guidance 
of  God's  Spirit  and  of  His  Church.  On  his  twenty-sixth  birth- 
day he  expressed  himself  thus:  "It  was  the  voice  of  the  Spirit 
which  first  called  my  attention  to  Africa.  I  have  from  a  child 
commiserated  the  injured  negro ;  and  for  years  prior  to  this 
my  missionary  feelings  sympathized  with  them  in  common  with 
the  heathen  world.  Under  the  workings  of  the  Spirit  on  this 


MISSION   TO   AFRICA.  35 

subject,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  to  offer  myself  as  a  mission- 
ary to  the  African  colony  at  Mesurado.  The  conviction  I 
strove  against  for  some  time,  until  the  conflict  became  over- 
whelmingly painful  and  distressing.  In  this  situation  I  called 
upon  Mr.  Bacon,  one  of  the  first  agents  to  the  colony,  who  in- 
formed me  that  there  was  a  loud  call  for  a  Methodist  mission- 
ary, and  that  the  field  was  white  unto  the  harvest.  After  sol- 
emn prayer  to  God,  I  believed,  according  to  the  light  given,  it 
was  my  duty  to  go  to  Bishop  George,  and  lay  the  matter  before 
him,  state  my  convictions,  views,  and  feelings.  When  this  res- 
olution was  once  formed,  I  felt  instant  inward  peace.  I  went 
to  New  York  and  had  an  interview  with  Bishop  George,  when 
he  stated  that  he  had  often  wished  we  had  an  African  mission- 
ary, and  approved  of  the  design ;  at  the  same  time,  he  advised 
me  to  take  no  definitive  step  until  the  close  of  the  year.  *  *  * 
Upon  a  fair  statement  of  the  case,  it  appears  my  way  is  not 
clearly  opened  to  the  African  field.  And  as  the  practical  de- 
cision is  connected  with  such  deep  responsibility,  it  would  not 
be  advisable  to  move  until  the  way  be  very  clear.  Bishop 
George  thinks  it  appears  probable  that  in  the  ensuing  Confer- 
ence year  a  very  extensive  field  of  missionary  labor  may  be 
opened  among  the  blacks  on  this  side  of  the  water,  more  so 
than  could  possibly  be  obtained  in  Africa.  The  agent  is  clear- 
ly of  the  opinion  that  a  white  missionary  can  benefit  the  gen- 
eral cause  most  efficiently  by  his  labors  here — at  least  for  the 
present.  I  feel  my  mind  much  at  rest ;  I  have  done  all  that 
appeared  to  be  my  duty;  I  have  endeavored  to  follow  the  lead- 
ings of  Providence,  for  I  have  good  cause  to  watch  over  and 
be  jealous  of  my  own  spirit.  If  no  other  result  flow  from  this 
than  bringing  my  views  before  the  mind  of  the  bishop,  perhaps 
a  point  of  no  inconsiderable  importance  is  gained  to  the  great 
cause.  The  heart  of  the  benevolent  old  man  seems  warmed 
with  love  divine  to  the  poor  Africans."  Immediately  in  this 
connection,  he  adds,  "  I  had  a  good  day,  particularly  in  bear- 


36  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

ing  a  decided  testimony  for  the  glorious  doctrine  of  Christian 
perfection.  Oh !  my  God,  hasten  the  period  when  sin  shall  ex- 
pire and  grace  shall  reign.  In  visiting  the  sick,  I  have  found 
assistance  and  power,  but  yet  the  habit  of  my  mind  is  not  suf- 
ficiently spiritual.  Let  me  plead  and  strive  for  a  pure  inten- 
tion, a  sanctified  affection,  and  a  holy  walk.  O  Lord,  help  me 
to  remember  that  for  myself,  as  a  follower  of  Christ,  as  well 
as  a  messenger  of  God,  I  must  answer." 

The  persistence  with  which  Mr.  Cookman  adhered  to  the 
original  purpose  he  had  in  coming  to  America  is  truly  admira- 
ble, as  not  only  showing  the  depth  of  the  conviction,  but  also 
the  integrity  of  his  heart  and  the  force  of  his  will.  His  preach- 
ing and  speaking  in  Philadelphia  had  produced  a  strong  im- 
pression, and  his  fame  as  an  orator  began  already  to  be  ac- 
knowledged. His  ministrations  were  universally  acceptable, 
and  very  much  sought.  There  was  a  demand  in  the  churches 
for  eloquent  preachers;  and  the  brilliant  career  of  Summer- 
field  had  prepared  the  people  to  appreciate  thoroughly  a  young 
Englishman  who  promised  in  any  degree  to  take  the  place  of 
that  seraphic  man.  It  must  have  required  in  Cookman  just 
such  close  heart  searchings  and  earnest  prayers  as  his  memo- 
randa reveal  to  keep  him  firm  to  Africa.  It  is  not  without  sig- 
nificance that  he  yearned  for  deadness  to  the  world  and  for 
increased  spirituality.  The  record  in  regard  to  Christian  per- 
fection in  this  relation  is  truly  valuable,  as  showing  its  vital  re- 
lation to  missionary  work,  and  equally  so  as  exhibiting  in  the 
father  thus  early  in  his  ministry  the  fast  hold  he  had  taken  of 
that  doctrine  of  Methodism  which  was  subsequently  to  become 
the  distinguishing  feature  of  the  life  and  ministry  of  his  son. 

While  actively  devoting  himself  to  regular  ministerial  duty, 
Mr.  Cookman's  efforts  in  the  direction  of  Africa  were  not  relin- 
quished. "  Some  time  ago  I  made  an  offer  of  myself  to  the 
Colonization  Society  to  go  out  to  Liberia  as  a  Methodist  mis- 
sionary at  my  own  expense.  I  am  sorry  to  find  that  an  extract 


DEFEATED  IN  GOING  TO  AFRICA.  37 

from  my  letter  has  been  published  in  several  of  the  papers,  in- 
asmuch as  I  could  have  wished  to  go  about  the  matter  without 
noise  and  pomp  of  observation.  *  *  *  I  feel  resigned  to  do  or 
to  suffer  what  the  Lord  may  appoint  —  if  He  say  go,  I  am 
ready ;  if  He  say  remain,  I  will  remain  and  be  submissive.  I 
feel  the  kindlings  of  God's  love,  and  am  looking  for  a  deeper 
and  a  holier  baptism." 

His  cherished  desire,  however,  was  doomed  to  disappoint- 
ment. God  had  other  work  for  him  to  do.  As  the  sequel 
proved,  instead  of  going  as  a  missionary  to  convert  the  heathen 
— possibly  to  leave  his  bones  after  a  few  months  on  the  sands 
of  Africa — he  was,  by  his  advanced  ideas  and  persuasive  elo- 
quence, to  plant  the  seeds  of  missionary  labors  which  were  des- 
tined to  spring  up  in  ever-widening  harvests  to  the  end  of  time. 
Methodist  missions  were  just  then  starting,  and  they  needed 
in  their  first  feeble  beginnings  such  a  heroic,  fiery  advocate  as 
this  brilliant  and  devout  young  man.  He  was  not  to  be  a 
missionary,  as  he  earnestly  and  sincerely  intended,  pure  and 
simple  ;  but  he  was  to  be  a  creator  of  missionaries,  who,  in  un- 
broken succession,  should  go  from  the  American  continent  to 
all  parts  of  the  world.  He  was  here,  too,  to  found  a  family 
which  was  subsequently  to  be  identified  in  all  movements  adapt- 
ed to  advance  the  salvation  of  the  race ;  and,  in  the  apostolic 
zeal  of  noble  sons,  was  to  project  his  influence  into  the  far- 
reaching  future  of  his  adopted  country.  The  Almighty  con- 
cealed from  His  servant  at  the  time  His  full  design,  as  he  had 
done  from  many  of  His  chosen  ones  before;  but  go  to  Africa  he 
could  not.  His  way  was  blocked.  As  was  natural,  the  defeat 
of  a  purpose  so  long  fixed  upon,  and  which  had  wrought  in 
him  as  an  all-absorbing  and  assimilating  force,  could  not  but 
cause  a  painful  disappointment.  He  did  not  hesitate  to  own  it. 

On  November  6th  he  wrote:  "Abraham  went  forth  at  the 
command  of  Jehovah,  '  not  knowing  whither  he  went,'  and  Lu- 
ther, Wesley,  Coke,  Asbtiry,  were  first  thrust  out,  and  led  along 


38  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

by  a  path  which  they  could  not  have  imagined.  Had  it,  for  in- 
stance, been  told  Wesley  when  he  was  in  Oxford  at  my  age,  that 
he  should  be  the  head  of  a  large  body  of  Christians ;  that  he 
should  approve  and  employ  lay  preachers,  and  stand  up  in  the 
market-places  and  preach  the  Gospel  without  book,  he  would 
have  thought  the  teller  mad.  And  it  has  appeared  to  me,  after 
impartial  investigation  of  Church  history,  that  the  real,  extensive 
revivals  of  vital  godliness  in  every  age  have  not  been  by  pre- 
concerted design  on  the  part  of  the  instruments,  but  by  a  se- 
ries of  causes  unsuspected  and  uncontrolled  by  human  agency, 
but  directed  by  Him  who  has  ascended  on  high  and  received 
gifts  for  men.  It  is  a  series  of  reflections  like  these  which  rec- 
oncile me  to  my  present  situation  and  circumstances.  I  had 
certainly  resolved  to  go  to  Africa,  so  far  as  any  volition  of  the 
human  will  can  decide  upon  any  question  ;  and  I  confess  with 
shame  that  when,  from  the  statement  of  the  agent  of  the  Col- 
onization Society  and  the  advice  of  Bishop  George,  my  way 
seemed  blocked  up,  my  heart  rose  in  rebellion,  as  though  the 
great  purpose  of  my  soul  was  frustrated.  But  the  great  ques- 
tion now"  is,  Was  the  purpose  of  the  Lord  frustrated  ?  Is  it  not 
rather  in  progress  of  fulfillment  ?  For  if  one  part  of  our  pur- 
pose be  the  preparation  of  instruments,  then  such  a  disappoint- 
ment to  my  proud  self-will  may  be  the  best  preparation  in  con- 
vincing me  of  my  imperfect  judgment  and  frailty  of  purpose." 

With  such  reflections  as  these,  Mr.  Cookman  reconciled  him- 
self to  what  was  now  evidently  the  final  subversion  of  his  early 
plan,  and  his  permanent  settlement  in  America  as  an  itiner- 
ant Methodist  preacher.  With  a  jealous  watchfulness  over  his 
heart,  he  did  not  fail  to  see  in  the  thwarting  of  his  scheme  the 
deep  need  he  had  of  thorough  proving  in  his  religious  expe- 
rience, and  of  much  correction  in  his  natural  tendencies.  He 
knew  himself  too  well  not  to  know  that  impulsiveness  was  a  de- 
fect in  his  character.  "The  thought  and  the  action  are  with 
me  nearly  synonymous,  and  when  a  thing  is  designed,  my  bones 


MR.  COOKMAN'S  MARRIAGE.  39 

ache  within  me  and  my  flesh  cries  out  till  it  is  done.  I  am 
aware  this  is  a  defect,  leading  me  to  speak  too  fast  and  to  act 
too  fast.  It  was  this  very  thing  which  plunged  Dr.  Coke  into 
so  many  perplexities,  and  gave  Wesley  such  an  advantage  over 
him  as  a  character.  I  always  need  a  sober  counselor  at  my 
elbow  to  talk  the  matter  twice  over." 

Thus  did  he  carefully  guard  himself,  seeing  in  his  worst  dis- 
appointments the  providential  means  of  perfecting  his  graces, 
and  using  the  things  which  he  suffered  as  the  things  he  most 
needed.  Whether  justly  or  not,  it  is  common  for  God's  most 
conscientious  servants  to  think  they  discern  weakness  where 
often  lies  their  greatest  strength.  It  was  the  ardent  tempera- 
ment inherited  from  the  mother  which  was  the  real  spring  of 
Mr.  Cookman's  mental  power ;  nor  would  it  have  done  too  far 
to  restrain  it.  Ordinarily,  the  great  instruments  of  Providence 
have  rough  and  sharp  points,  and  are  not  toned  down  to  ex- 
ceeding smoothness. 

In  February,  1827,  Mr.  Cookman  returned  to  England  on  a 
brief  visit.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Barton,  Doncaster, 
Yorkshire,  on  the  zd  of  April,  1827,  and  immediately  left  with 
his  bride  for  America.  Miss  Barton  was  a  young  lady  of  excel- 
lent family,  of  superior  personal  endowments,  and  of  exemplary 
piety.  In  marrying  Mr.  Cookman,  she  not  only  wedded  him  as 
her  husband,  but  also  as  God's  minister,  and  devoted  herself, 
with  the  utmost  simplicity  and  in  entire  sympathy  with  him,  to 
the  work  which  absorbed  his  soul  and  was  to  employ  his  life. 
The  comforts  and  luxuries  of  an  affluent  English  home  were 
abandoned  with  the  pure  intent  of  becoming  a  true  helpmeet  to 
the  man  of  her  heart,  the  accredited  ambassador  of  Christ  in 
bringing  the  world  a  conquest  to  redeeming  love.  Mrs.  Cook- 
man still  lives  at  an  advanced  age,  a  witness  to  the  power  of 
the  same  self-sacrificing  zeal  with  which  she  originally  left  her 
father's  house. 

In  the  spring  of  1827  Mr.  Cookman  was  appointed  to  the 


40  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Lancaster  Circuit.  This  charge  embraced  Lancaster,  Columbia, 
and  Reading,  three  of  the  most  important  towns  in  Pennsylva- 
nia. It  was  a  large  and  laborious  charge,  being  what  was  called 
a  six  weeks'  circuit,  in  the  arrangement  of  which  he  preached  at 
each  church  in  the  circuit  but  once  in  six  weeks.  His  resi- 
dence was  at  Columbia,  situated  on  the  Susquehanna  River. 

Here  Alfred  was  born,  January  4,  1828.  He  was  physically 
a  healthful  and  remarkably  well-proportioned  child.  The  moth- 
er, as  she  clasped  her  first-born  to  her  heart,  felt  mingling  with 
her  maternal  and  wifely  joy  a  sense  of  disappointment  in  the 
probable  curtailment  of  her  active  participation  in  the  pastoral 
work  of  her  husband,  and  further  postponing,  if  not  entirely  de- 
feating, the  missionary  purpose  which  still  possessed  both  hus- 
band and  wife.  She  had  come  to  America  with  great  designs 
in  her  soul ;  and  now  that  the  mission  of  a  mother  opened  dis- 
tinctly before  her,  the  enthusiasm  of  her  spirit  was  not  a  little 
sobered.  Tending  a  babe  in  the  narrow  confines  of  the  nursery, 
did  not  quite  comport  with  that  brilliant  apostolic  career  which 
she  had  marked  out  for  herself  as  the  companion  of  a  Christian 
missionary.  But  God  gave  her  a  happy  thought.  "  Alfred  was 
to  be  her  Solomon  to  build  the  temple  which  she  in  becoming 
a  mother  could  not  rear."  She  was  reconciled  to  her  calling, 
and  henceforth  gave  herself  to  the  training  of  this  son  as  the 
main  work  of  her  life.  With  the  persuasion  that  he  was  given 
to  her  of  God,  she  consecrated  him  from  birth  to  the  sacred 
ministry,  to  be  a  builder  of  God's  Temple.  All  her  thoughts, 
feelings,  and  plans  for  the  child  grouped  about  this  central  idea, 
and  the  idea  in  turn  stamped  its  character  and  complexion  on 
all  she  did. 

There  were  two  classes  of  women  whom  the  Romans  loved 
to  honor — the  few  virgins  who  devoted  themselves  in  perpetual 
virginity  to  keeping  alive  the  vestal  fires,  and  the  mothers  of 
heroes.  Mrs.  Cookman  accepted  the  traditional  Anglo-Saxon 
doctrine  that  there  is,  strictly  speaking,  no  higher  mission  for 


MR.  COOKMAN'S  POPULARITY. — ALFRED.  41 

woman  than  the  function  of  a  matron.  She  had  talents  and 
graces  which  would  have  made  her  useful  and  famous  in  any 
sphere;  but  she  saw  with  womanly  instinct  and  true  maternal 
feeling  that  her  greatest  usefulness  and  utmost  fame — as  far  as 
she  could  consider  fame — would  be  found  in  losing  herself  in 
her  son,  in  spending  her  time  and  energies  upon  him,  in  fash- 
ioning the  man  who  was  to-  stand  a  man  among  men.  Surely 
to  train  men — to  offer  to  sons  the  care,  instruction,  and  sympa- 
thy which  they  need,  and  to  maintain  over  them  a  controlling 
influence  through  the  successive  periods  of  their  development — 
is  the  worthiest  ambition  which  can  fill  a  woman's  heart.  Such 
was  Mrs.  Cookman's  ambition.  The  sequel  confirms  the  wis- 
dom of  her  choice.  She  was  a  true  companion  of  her  husband, 
and  as  far  as  practicable  aided  him  not  only  by  her  affectionate 
sympathies  and  judicious  counsels  in  his  ministry,  but  also  did 
all  she  could  privately  and  publicly,  as  a  godly  lady,  to  pro- 
mote the  work  of  religion  ;  but  pre-eminently  her  realm  was  her 
house,  and  her  work  rather  to  form  preachers  than  to  preach. 
Mr.  Cookman's  duties  on  his  circuit  kept  him  much  from  home, 
and  threw  the  young  wife  and  mother  upon  her  own  resources. 
This  could  not  be  otherwise  than  a  trial  to  her  refined  nature, 
but  she  found  comfort  in  the  companionship  of  her  child,  and  in 
the  constantly  augmenting  success  and  fame  of  her  husband. 
He  was  universally  popular.  At  Reading,  where  there  was 
then  no  Methodist  church,  he  preached  in  the  court-house  to 
crowds,  in  which  were  to  be  regularly  seen  the  foremost  lawyers 
and  men  of  business  in  the  town. 

I  give  here  an  extract  from  a  letter  received  about  this  time 
from  the  father  of  Mr.  Cookman,  in  which  touching  reference  is 

made  to  the  two  Alfreds: 

"HULL,  February  11,  1828. 

"DEAR  GEORGE  AND  MARY, — Our  last  letters  sent  by  vessel-from  this 
port  would  bring  the  mournful  intelligence  of  the  loss  of  our  dearest  Alfred, 
with  many  particulars  respecting  his  last  moments  and  his  tranquil  exit. 
These  events,  when  brought  back  to  our  recollection,  form  new  associations 


42  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

and  open  afresh  the  wounds  in  our  bleeding  hearts.  We  trust,  however,  you 
will  be  supported  by  the  good  hand  of  God  under  this  irreparable  loss,  by 
the  full  assurance  that  now  he  is  released  from  all  his  suffering,  and  his 
happy  spirit  is  admitted  into  the  presence  of  his  Redeemer,  and  is  associated 
with  the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect.  This  assurance  should  moderate 
our  sorrows ;  and,  though  we  can  not  but  feel  as  his  near  relatives,  our 
Christian  principles  should  check  an  excess  of  suffering,  because  we  are  as- 
sured it  was  the  good  pleasure  of  God  to  take  him  from  us,  and  he  is  much 
happier,  better  provided  for,  and  taken  greater  care  of  now  by  his  Heavenly 
Father  than  he  possibly  could  have  been  by  us.  *  *  * 

"  On  the  receipt  of  your  last,  bearing  date  the  7th  of  January,  our  feelings 
were  deeply  interested  in  receiving  the  pleasing  intelligence  of  the  birth  of 
your  son,  and  we  were  delighted  to  find  the  name  of  Alfred  should  not  become 
extinct  in  our  family.  May  he  exhibit  a  large  share  of  his  uncle's  intellectual 
and  moral  character,  and  may  his  mental  powers  in  due  time  become  as 
vigorous  and  his  person  as  likely  to  be  robust.  *  *  *  May  you  receive  him 
as  the  gift  of  God,  and  while  you  gratefully  acknowledge  His  supporting  and 
sustaining  hand,  may  you  and  the  child  be  entirely  consecrated  to  Him." 

Was  ever  prayer  more  prediction  ?  The  desire  of  the  grand- 
father for  his  second  Alfred  was  entirely  fulfilled,  and  in  noth- 
ing more  than  his  entire  consecration  to  God.  Who  can  com- 
pute the  value  to  children  of  the  faith  of  such  parents  and 
grandparents  —  a  faith  which  connects  them  in  their  very  in- 
fancy with  the  covenant  that  engages  God  to  bestow,  special 
blessings  upon  the  children  of  His  people? 

In  the  spring  of  1828,  Mr.  Cookman  was  stationed  at  New 
Brunswick,  N.J., which  was  then  comprised,  with  all  the  State 
of  New  Jersey,  in  the  Philadelphia  Conference.  While  station- 
ed here  he  made  one  of  his  earliest  platform  addresses,  which 
immediately  established  his  reputation  with  the  community  out- 
side of  his  own  denomination  as  a  first-class  orator.  A  corre- 
spondent of  the  New  York  Observer,  who  was  present  on  the  oc- 
casion, wrote  of  that  speech  subsequent  to  Mr.  Cookman 's 
death:  "None  who  were  present  will  forget  the  powerful  im- 
pression made  by  him  at  a  meeting  of  the  Young  Men's  Bible 
Society,  in  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  in  the  year  1828,  when  a 


BIBLE   SPEECH   AT   NEW   BRUNSWICK.  43 

Methodist  preacher  of  small  stature,  almost  unknown  in  the 
community,  having  been  invited  for  denomination's  sake  to 
speak  on  the  occasion,  arose  and  electrified  the  audience  with 
an  address  that  suddenly  bore  away  the  palm  from  all  competi- 
tors. It  reminded  one  of  the  brilliant  debut  of  Summerfield  at 
the  anniversary  of  the  American  Bible  Society  in  New  York. 
None  could  appreciate  the  force  of  that  speech  who  was  unac- 
quainted with  the  charm  of  the  speaker's  manner.  Besides  the 
simplicity,  vivacity,  and  variety  of  the  address,  there  was  an  ap- 
propriateness, both  in  point  of  time  and  place,  that  secured  the 
undissembled  admiration  of  his  enlightened  audience. 

"  His  subject  was  Christian  union  combined  with  denomina- 
tional action.  His  mind,  rich  in  bold  and  natural  metaphors, 
drew  a  sketch  more  impressive  than  the  most  profound  and 
elaborate  argumentation  could  be,  especially  when  addressed  to 
a  popular  assembly  of  various  creeds.  He  undertook  to  mar- 
shal the  spiritual  army.  He  considered  the  Methodists  as  the 
mounted  volunteers,  hovering  on  the  frontiers ;  the  Presbyteri- 
ans, 'who  love  an  open  field,'  as  the  infantry,  occupying  the 
centre  in  solid  columns,  and  presenting  to  the  enemy  a  series  of 
impregnable  squares  ;  he  stationed  the  Baptists  along  the  rivers 
and  lakes,  to  win  laurels  in  their  peculiar  warfare  ;  and  Episco- 
palians were  to  man  the  garrisons,  inspect  the  magazines,  and 
direct  the  batteries.  '  But  who  shall  be  our  artillery  men  ?  I 
propose,  sir,'  said  Mr.  Cookman,  '  that  we  commit  this  very  im- 
portant department  to  our  brethren  of  the  Dutch  Reformed 
Church ;  and,  sir,  may  they  acquit  themselves  with  a  valor 
worthy  of  their  ancestors  when  the  proud  flag  of  De  Witt  swept 
the  sea  and  the  thunder  of  Van  Tromp  shook  the  ocean !'  He 
then  warned  them  of  a  spy  in  the  camp,  'old  and  gray  in  iniq- 
uity, toothless,  crooked,  and  unsavory ;'  and  proceeded  to  draw  a 
most  graphic  picture  of  Bigotry.  He  hoped  that  if  the  Method- 
ist cavalry  caught  sight  of  him  they  would  ride  him  down  ;  that 
the  Presbyterians  would  bayonet  him  ;  the  Baptists  drown  him ; 


44  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

the  Episcopalians,  if  he  approached  their  garrison,  open  a 
double-flanked  battery  upon  him,  and  the  Dutch  Reformed 
greet  him  with  a  round  of  artillery.  '  Let  him,'  said  he,  '  die 
the  death  of  a  spy,  without  military  honors,  and,  after  he  has 
been  gibbeted  for  a  season,  let  his  body  be  given  to  the 
Quakers,  and  let  them  bury  him  deep  and  in  silence.  May 
God  grant  his  miserable  ghost  may  never  revisit  this  world  of 
trouble !' " 

It  is  easy  to  imagine,  as  this  brief  sketch  is  read,  the  well- 
nigh  overwhelming  effect  which  this  speech  from  a  comparative 
stranger  and  a  rather  unpromising  young  man  must  have  had 
upon  the  audience.  Such  a  picture  was  a  creation  worthy  the 
genius  of  a  Bunyan.  The  ability  to  sustain  a  series  of  compari- 
sons at  such  length,  reaching  the  requirements  of  allegory,  with 
so  much  of  genuine  truthfulness  and  humor,  showed  in  the 
young  preacher  a  high  artistic  power. 

In  1829  Mr.  Cookman  was  appointed  to  Talbot  Circuit,  Tal- 
bot  County,  Maryland.  He  had  dreamed  over  in  England  of 
one  day  preaching  the  Gospel  to  the  blacks  of  Maryland,  and 
now  his  opportunity  had  come.  By  Ibng  brooding  over  the  suf- 
ferings of  the  poor  negroes,  he  had  transferred  their  chains 
to  himself,  and  he  longed  to  be  among  them  and  to  do  what 
he  could  to  ameliorate  their  condition.  His  circuit  extended 
through  the  whole  county,  and  included  both  the  white  and 
colored  population  adhering  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
He  was  cordially  received  by  the  warm  hearted  Southerners, 
among  whom  he  found  many  English  traits  which  did  not  fail 
to  make  him  feel  at  home,  and  did  much  to  relieve  the  pain 
which  the  presence  of  slavery  caused  him.  Mr.  Cookman  never 
found  closer  friends  than  among  the  devout  people  of  this 
section.  Methodism  had  taken  early  and  strong  hold  upon  the 
community,  and  embraced,  with  slight  exceptions,  the  staple  in- 
telligence and  enterprise  of  the  whole  region  ;  the  people  lived 
in  simple  affluence,  and  were  ever  ready  to  lavish  upon  their 


TESTIMONY  OF    FREDERICK   DOUGLASS.  45 

preacher  all  the  choicest  gifts  of  air,  land,  and  water.  They  re- 
ceived Mr.  Cookman,  his  wife  and  children — for  by  this  time 
Alfred  had  a  brother — with  the  warmest  hospitality.  One  gen- 
tleman, Mr.  Samuel  Harrison,  who  owned  a  large  plantation 
stretching  in  a  narrow  neck  out  into  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  took 
them  to  his  own  house.  The  minister's  coming  to  each  suc- 
cessive appointment  every  four  weeks  was  an  ovation — the 
whole  country,  whites  and  blacks  alike,  turned  out  to  hear  him. 
And  it  was  not  because  the  people  had  not  been  used  hitherto 
to  good  preaching — they  had  had  it  from  the  beginning  of  their 
religious  history ;  they  therefore  knew  how  to  appreciate  it  in 
Mr.  Cookman. 

The  celebrated  colored  orator,  Frederick  Douglass,  in  his 
book  entitled  "  My  Bondage  and  my  Freedom,"  p.  198,  tells  us 
that  the  Rev.  George  Cookman  took  an  interest  in  the  tempo- 
ral and  spiritual  welfare  of  the  slaves.  He  writes:  "Our  souls 
and  our  bodies  were  alike  sacred  in  his  sight ;  and  he  really 
had  a  good  deal  of  genuine  anti-slavery  feeling  mingled  with 
his  colonization  ideas.  There  was  not  a  slave  in  our  neighbor- 
hood that  did  not  love  and  venerate  Mr.  Cookman.  It  was 
pretty  generally  believed  that  he  had  been  chiefly  instrumental 
in  bringing  one  of  the  largest  slaveholders — Mr.  Samuel  Har- 
rison— to  emancipate  all  his  slaves ;  and,  indeed,  the  general 
impression  was  that  Mr.  Cookman  had  labored  faithfully  with 
slaveholders,  whenever  he  met  them,  to  induce  them  to  emanci- 
pate their  bondmen,  and  that  he  did  this  as  a  religious  duty. 
When  this  good  man  was  at  our  house,  we  were  all  sure  to  be 
called  in  to  prayers  in  the  morning;  and  he  was  not  slow  in 
making  inquiries  as  to  the  state  of  our  minds,  nor  in  giving  us 
a  word  of  exhortation  and  encouragement.  Great  was  the  sor- 
row of  all  the  slaves  when  this  faithful  preacher  of  the  Gospel 
was  removed  from  the  circuit." 

Mr.  Cookman's  custom  was  to  hold  special  services  apart  for 
the  colored  people,  to  which  they  flocked  in  great  numbers. 


46  LIFE  OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

He  was  regarded  with  increasing  favor  both  by  masters  and 
servants. 

But  what,  meanwhile,  is  our  little  Alfred  doing  ?  Playing  oft- 
en, no  doubt — as  many  others  before  and  since  who  became 
good  and  great  have  done — with  the  little  negroes  near  the 
"  quarters,"  or  in  front  of  the  "  big  house,"  or  on  the  sandy 
beach,  or  chasing  butterflies  over  the  fields,  or  possibly  at  "hold- 
ing meeting."  His  mother  says  of  him  at  this  very  early  age  : 
"  The  tone  of  his  mind  had  always  a  religious  tendency,  and 
before  he  was  four  years  of  age  he  imitated  all  the  services  of 
the  Church.  He  would  sometimes  collect  a  crowd  of  colored 
children  around  him,  and  in  his  childish  way  preach  to  them 
about  the  necessity  of  being  good,  and  then  they  would  go  to 
heaven  and  live  with  Jesus;  but  if  they  were  bad  boys  and 
girls  they  would  go  to  hell,  and  be  burnt  in  a  great  hot  fire. 
His  father  traveled  a  circuit  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Maryland 
about  this  time,  which  brought  Alfred  in  contact  with  number- 
less opportunities  to  show  the  bias  of  his  mind.  He  would  ask 
for  a  bowl  of  water,  and  request  the  servants  of  the  family  to 
come  and  be  baptized.  Many  of  th£m  would  come  and  .kneel 
down  as  devoutly  as  though  they  felt  the  reality  of  the  ordi- 
nance ;  and  he,  taking  the  water  in  his  hand,  would  say,  '  Bob 
Trot,  I  baptize  thee  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  God  bless  you,  and  make  you  a  good 
man.'  Then  Bob  and  others  who  went  through  the  same  proc- 
ess would  rise  up  from  their  knees  and  go  forth  as  though 
they  had  performed  a  religious  duty.  So  Alfred  would  go 
through  with  all  the  services  of  the  sanctuary  in  his  boyish  way 
with  as  much  gravity  and  decorum  as  though  he  were  already 
ordained,  or  set  aside  for  this  special  work — directing  men  and 
women  to  be  good  and  do  good." 

It  is  not  uncommon  for  boys,  who  never  become  preachers 
or  much  of  any  thing — for  children  are  busy  little  artists,  paint- 
ing with  the  brush  of  sympathy  on  the  canvas  of  their  souls 


EARLY   TRAITS  AND   NURTURE.  47 

the  real  life  which  passes  before  them — to  do  just  what  Alfred 
did ;  and  yet  there  is  that  in  the  ways  of  every  child  which 
shows  the  natural  bent,  and  to  some  degree  forecasts  the  after 
life.  Goethe's  painful  sensitiveness  to  the  presence  of  ugliness 
or  deformity  while  quite  a  baby  was  indicative  of  that  fine,  del- 
icate organization  which  is  the  constitutional  basis  of  the  poet. 
His  mother  had  the  eye  to  see  it,  and  with  skillful  hand  she 
guided  the  divine  instinct  by  bringing  to  its  nurture  agreeable 
objects,  and  gently  inciting  it  with  narratives  of  the  wondrous 
and  beautiful ;  otherwise  Germany  had  not  had  her  greatest 
poet,  nor  the  world  one  of  its  greatest  educators.  To  every 
mother  her  child  has  an  individuality,  and  she  can  discern  in  it 
the  hidden  germ  which  in  the  flower  is  to  render  its  maturity 
distinct  and  beautiful.  The  difference  in  mothers  is  the  power 
properly  to  direct  this  original  faculty.  Fewer  children  would 
perish  in  the  promise  if  there  were  more  mothers  who  knew 
how  to  cherish  and  train  the  natural  and  gracious  endowment. 
Mrs.  Cookman  had  one  desire  for  her  boy,  and  she  sedulously 
watched  every  hint  in  his  childhood  which  pointed  in  the  di- 
rection of  its  fulfillment.  She  hailed  every  such  indication  as 
a  precursor  of  his  future,  since  it  had  been  impressed  on  her 
mind  from  his  birth  that  he  was  to  do  the  work  that  was  in 
her  heart  to  do  for  the  Lord.  But  she  was  a  wise  mother, 
looking  for  results,  however  good  and  desirable,  to  follow  only 
upon  the  use  of  the  proper  means.  She  did  not  expect  devout 
wishes  and  devout  prayers  to  mould  the  character  of  Alfred 
without  corresponding  effort  to  rear  him  aright.  Great  and 
good  men  do  not  grow,  like  the  rank  weeds,  untended,  but,  like 
the  lovely  and  fragrant  flowers,  by  culture.  Here's  a  memo- 
randum from  the  mother  on  this  point:  "Alfred  was  very  cor- 
rect in  all  his  deportment,  obedient  to  his  parents,  very  truth- 
ful, and  conscientious.  He  was,  of  course,  watched  over  with 
more  than  ordinary  care.  Parental  vigilance  was  ever  on  the 
alert  to  detect  and  correct  any  thing  that  might  mar  the  little 


48  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

tender  plant."  Yet  there  was  not  excess  of  training,  nor  mor- 
bid stimulating.  "His  father  early  impressed  him  with  the  idea, 
'Play  when  you  play,  and  work  when  you  work.'  " 

It  was  hardly  to  be  expected  that  the  social  scenes  by  which 
this  child  was  surrounded  at  that  period  could  permanently  af- 
fect his  disposition ;  yet  he  ever  after  loved  this  country  and 
its  people,  and  to  this  day  there  is  no  name  fuller  of  sweet 
odor  in  the  whole  region  than  that  of  Alfred  Cookman.  It  is 
well  known,  too,  that  he  cherished  throughout  life  a  great  love 
for  the  black  race.  He  had  romped,  wept,  and  laughed — nay, 
even  prayed,  with  the  colored  boys ;  and  a  common  feeling,  so 
self-asserting  in  children,  had  taught  him  in  the  simple  and  in- 
nocent sports  of  childhood  the  great  truth  of  the  oneness  of 
humanity.  In  the  very  lap  of  the  warm,  unselfish  nursing  of 
which  the 'negro  woman  is  capable,  associated  with  the  strange 
and  weird  stories,  and  the  low,  soft  melodies,  the  earnest  and 
implicit  trustfulness  with  which  she  mingles  all  her  work,  he  re- 
ceived impressions  at  this  susceptible  age  which  ever  endeared 
the  colored  people  to  him. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE   GROWING    FAME   OF   REV.  GEORGE   G.  COOKMAN. THE 

CHILDHOOD    OF  ALFRED. 

How  far  Mr.  Cookman  felt  himself  successful  in  his  mission 
to  the  colored  people  does  not  appear.  He  found  obstacles  in 
promoting  their  liberation.  He  was  useful  to  them,  as  he  was 
also  to  the  white  population ;  but  his  talents  were  soon  in  de- 
mand in  the  great  city,  and  he  was  accordingly  at  his  next  ap- 
pointment assigned  to  St.  George's,  Philadelphia.  It  showed 
the  confidence  of  the  bishop,  and  of  the  people  of  St.  George's, 
that  he  was  sent  so  soon  to  the  charge  where  on  his  first  ar- 
rival he  had  joined  and  labored  as  a  local  preacher.  On  the 
removal  of  the  family  to  the  city,  Alfred,  with  his  brother 
George,  was  placed  at  school  under  the  care  of  Miss  Ann 
Thomas,  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  who  was  quite 
celebrated  for  her  skill  in  teaching.  He  remained  two  years 
under  her  care,  and  made  rapid  progress  in  the  elementary 
branches  of  education.  She  took  very  special  interest  both 
in  him  and  his  little  brother,  and  expressed  great  sorrow  when 
they  left  her.  In  a  note  to  the  mother  she  wrote :  "  I  give 
my  testimony  respecting  thy  dear  boys  that  I  have  enjoyed 
great  consolation  in  their  company.  While  endeavoring  to  in- 
form their  little  minds,  and  give  them  a  knowledge  of  litera- 
ture, they  have  been  obedient  and  attentive,  very  innocent,  and 
strict  to  truth,  and  in  almost  every  thing  what  my  heart  could 
wish.  Tell  them  to  remember  Miss  Ann,  who  dearly  loves 
them,  and  wishes  them  everlasting  happiness." 

I  presume  Alfred,  at  the  age  of  five  to  seven,  did  not  get 
very  deep  into  what  his  loving  teacher  calls  "  literature."  His 

C 


50  LIFE  OF  ALFRED   CQOKMAN. 

instruction  in  the  rudiments  of  knowledge  was  probably  thor- 
ough, and  imparted  with  the  exactness  and  kindliness  for  which 
the  Friends  are  remarkable.  This  godly  lady's  spirit  undoubt- 
edly affected  him  as  much  as  the  lessons  she  taught,  and  may 
in  some  measure  account  for  the  great  favor  in  which  he  al- 
ways held  her  people — a  favor  which  was  as  warmly  recipro- 
cated by  them. 

Subsequently  to  the  two  years  at  St.  George's,  Philadelphia, 
Mr.  Cookman  spent  one  year  at  Newark,  N.  J.  His  reputation 
had  reached  Baltimore,  Md.,  then  and  now  a  stronghold  of 
Methodism  in  America.  The  intercourse  of  the  citizens  of  the 
eastern  shore  of  Maryland  with  their  commercial  metropolis 
could  not  fail  to  bring  to  the  attention  of  the  leading  Method- 
ists of  the  city  the  brilliant  talents  of  the  preacher.  Mr.  Cook- 
man had  himself  visited  Baltimore,  and  preached  in  its  church- 
es. There  arose  an  urgent  demand  for  his  services,  and  he 
was  accordingly  transferred  to  the  Baltimore  Conference  in  the 
spring  of  1834,  and  appointed  to  the  city  station,  which  then 
included  all  the  Methodist  Episcopal  churches  of  the  city  ex- 
cept those  on  Fell's  Point.  Mr.  Cookman  was  associated  with 
Reverends  William  Hamilton,  James  Sewell,  Thomas  Thorn- 
ton, and  James  H.  Brown,  and  preached  in  rotation  with  them 
on  the  circuit  plan.  His  ministrations  excited  the  utmost  en- 
thusiasm, and  crowds  filled  the  churches  to  hear  him.  His  elo- 
quent preaching  and  platform  addresses,  faithful  pastoral  la- 
bors, devotion  to  Sunday-schools,  and  magical  social  powers — 
baptized  as  all  his  faculties  and  exercises  were  by  the  Holy 
Ghost — gave  him  a  position  which  has  seldom  been  equaled 
and  never  excelled  by  any  pastor  in  that  city.  His  influence 
helped  to  sustain  the  position  Methodism  had  already  acquired  ; 
and  greatly  assisted  to  push  it  forward  to  the  pre-eminence 
which  it  has  ever  since  held.  The  Methodists  of  that  day  who 
still  survive  scattered  among  the  several  churches  never  weary 
of  talking  of  his  power,  and  remember  and  narrate  with  dis- 


EARLY   IMPRESSIONS.  51 

tinctness,  special  passages  in  his  sermons  and  speeches  which 
thrilled  the  congregations. 

On  one  Sabbath  evening,  Mr.  Cookman  was  preaching  to  a 
dense  audience  at  Light  Street,  and,  as  sometimes  happened 
with  him,  and  happens  to  all  men,  however  able,  if  they  are  ex- 
temporaneous speakers,  he  had  no  freedom  in  his  sermon,  and 
evidently  did  not  succeed  as  he  wished  ;  but,  with  a  fertility  of 
resource  which  seldom  failed  him,  he  began  an  exhortation  as 
he  proceeded  to  the  consciences  of  his  hearers,  which  was  so 
effective  for  direct  and  fiery  appeal  as  to  subdue  all  hearts.  A 
prominent  citizen,  who  had  been  attracted  by  his  fame,  but  was 
about  to  leave  the  house  disappointed  at  his  sermon,  was  so 
wrought  upon  by  the  exhortation  as  to  be  awakened  and  con- 
verted. 

Among  the  vast  multitudes  who  hung  upon  the  eloquent  lips 
of  Mr.  Cookman  at  this  time  was  a  little  boy  of  seven  years  of 
age,  not  unknown  to  him.  Alfred  was  no  indifferent  hearer  to 
such  life-like  expositions  and  delineations  as  the  father  gave 
from  Sunday  to  Sunday.  The  intelligence  of  the  lad  had  suf- 
ficiently dawned  to  appreciate  a  method  of  teaching  which  was 
so  well  suited  to  awaken  and  chain  the  attention  of  the  young. 
His  conscience  was  growing  with  his  other  faculties,  and  now 
began  to  assert  itself.  The  seeds  of  truth  cast  into  the  soil 
of  his  heart  were  beginning  to  swell,  though  the  full  time  for 
them  to  burst  into  a  definitive  new  life  had  not  yet  come.  Re- 
ferring to  his  early  experience,  he  has  himself  recorded :  "  I 
shall  never  cease  to  be  grateful  for  the  instruction  and  example 
of  a  faithful  father  and  an  affectionate  mother.  At  this  mo- 
ment I  can  not  call  up  a  period  in  my  life,  even  in  my  earliest 
childhood,  when  I  had  not  the  fear  of  God  before  my  eyes. 
When  about  seven  years  of  age,  I  persuaded  my  parents  to  let 
me  attend  a  Watch-Night  service.  It  was  held  in  Old  Exeter 
Street  Church,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore.  My  father  preached 
on  the  second  coming  of  Christ.  Thinking  that  perhaps  the 


52  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

end  of  the  world  was  just  at  hand,  I  realized  for  the  first  time 
my  unpreparedness  for  the  trying  scenes  of  ihe  judgment,  and 
trembled  in  the  prospect.  I  date  my  awakenings  from  that  time." 
With  many  of  the  families  of  his  charge  in  Baltimore  Mr. 
Cookman  formed  close  intimacies,  and  with  none  more  so  than 
the  family  of  the  late  Mr.  Joshua  Creamer.  I  extract  the  fol- 
lowing incident,  written  by  him  in  these  happy  days  in  the  al- 
bum of  Mrs.  Jane  Creamer  Taylor,  then  an  unmarried  daughter 
at  home.  It  is  beautiful  in  itself,  and  indicative  of  the  devout 
and  humble  spirit  which  animated  his  ministry : 

"It  was  on  a  fine  Sabbath  evening  in  the  month  of  June,  1821,  that  three 
youthful  pilgrims  visited  the  tomb  of  Wesley's  father  in  Epworth  church- 
yard. They  gathered  from  the  overhanging  beech-tree  a  little  bark  as  a 
memento  of  the  past;  and,  while  standing  on  that  very  tombstone  from  which 
John  Wesley  had  preached  to  listening  thousands  eighty  years  before,  they 
solemnly  invoked  a  blessing  from  the  God  of  the  Church,  and  determined  to 
follow  Wesley  as  he  followed  Christ.  One  of  these  youths  is  now  a  mission- 
ary in  Upper  Canada,  the  second  is  a  useful  preacher  of  the  Gospel  in  En- 
gland, and  the  third  the  writer  of  this  short  article. 

" '  Unto  me  who  am  less  than  the  least  of  all  saints  is  this  grace  given, 
that  I  should  preach  among  the  Gentiles  the  -unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.' 

"  GEORGE  G.  COOKMAN. 

"Baltimore,  gth  of  February,  1835." 

Another  leaf  from  this  album  will  appear  in  its  place,  illustra- 
tive of  the  reverence  and  affection  which  was  even  then  spring- 
ing up  in  the  son's  heart  for  the  father. 

The  time  had  now  come  when  Alfred's  academic  training 
was  fairly  to  begin.  Since  leaving  the  charge  of  the  gentle 
Friend  in  Philadelphia,  he  had  been  mainly  dependent  upon 
home  instruction ;  but  now,  in  the  providence  of  God,  he  was 
to  be  placed  in  the  most  favorable  circumstances  for  a  boy's 
education.  Mr.  Cookman,  for  reasons  which  were  sufficient  to 
the  authorities  of  the  Church,  was  removed  in  1836  from  Bal- 
timore City  to  the  town  of  Carlisle,  Pa.  At  first  glance,  such 
an  exercise  of  episcopal  supervision  might  appear  unaccounta- 


REMOVAL   TO    CARLISLE.  53 

ble — certainly  without  justification.  To  remove  a  man  so  well 
adapted  to  mould  great  masses  from  the  centre  of  population 
and  power,  when  his  usefulness  was  constantly  augmenting,  to 
a  quiet,  rural  town,  where  he  could  at  most  have  only  a  limited 
community  to  influence,  might  seem  at  once  strange  and  un- 
reasonable. But  the  highest  wisdom  teaches  that  influence  is 
not  always  to  be  measured  by  the  number  of  minds  which  it 
reaches,  but  by  the  quality  of  the  minds,  and  the  degree  with 
which  it  affects  them.  As  in  matter,  so  in  mind,  a  given  force 
may  effect  greater  results  by  being  exerted  on  a  small  spot  than 
by  being  spread  over  a  wide  surface.  It  is  one  of  the  econo- 
mies of  Nature  to  gather  up  and  concentrate  her  energies  for 
the  production  of  her  most  remarkable  works. 

There  was  reason  enough  for  Mr.  Cookman's  removal  to  Car- 
lisle. The  Methodists  of  the  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia  Confer- 
ences had  recently  purchased  from  the  Presbyterians  Dickinson 
College,  located  at  that  borough,  and  had  made  it  their  educa- 
tional centre.  Once  more,  from  the  despair  which  was  engen- 
dered by  the  ashes  of  Cokesbury  and  Light  Lane,  they  had  ris- 
en in  hope,  with  a  determined  effort  to  found  for  their  region 
an  institution  for  the  liberal  training  of  young  men.  They  had 
looked  abroad  through  the  Church,  and  had  concentrated  upon 
their  new  enterprise  the  best  talents  which  Methodism  could 
then  afford,  and  from  the  West,  East,  and  their  own  borders, 
had  brought  together  Durbin,  Caldwell,  Emory,  Allen,  McClin- 
tock,  and  Roszell,  all  young  men,  instinct  with  literary  enthu- 
siasm, with  denominational  and  professional  pride.  The  selec- 
tion of  Carlisle  as  a  location  for  the  school  may  have  been  a 
mistake,  but  the  choice  of  the  Faculty  was  one  of  those  rare  suc- 
cesses which  can  only  be  explained  by  a  guiding  spirit  in  the 
Church.  The  Rev.  J.  P.  Durbin  had  recently  come  from  the 
West,  with  a  high  reputation  for  pulpit  ability  and  administra- 
tive skill,  and  was  put  at  the  head  of  its  management ;  Pro- 
fessor Merrit  Caldwell,  fresh  from  the  walls  of  Bowdoin, brought 


54  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

with  him  accurate  scholarship  and  valued  experience  as  a 
teacher;  Professor  W.  H.  Allen,  also  from  Bowdoin,  united  rare 
physical  and  intellectual  strength,  which  was  disciplined  and 
enriched  alike  by  manual  and  mental  toil ;  the  youthful  Pro- 
fessor Robert  Emory  had  carried  off  the  prizes  at  Columbia, 
New  York  City,  and  was  probably  one  of  the  purest  and  most 
thoroughly  furnished  young  men  of  the  land ;  Professor  John 
McClintock  graduated  from  the  Pennsylvania  University  in  his 
teens,  and  was  already  regarded  by  all  who  knew  him  as  a 
prodigy  for  the  grasp  and  versatility  of  his  talents  and  the  full- 
ness of  his  attainments ;  Mr.  S.  A.  Roszell,  from  the  halls  of  the 
first  Methodist  College  of  the  West,  at  Augusta,  Ky.,  was  of  a 
parent  stock  justly  famed  for  its  vigor,  and  possessed  in  his 
own  right  a  reputation  for  depth  and  finish  of  culture. 

There  was  never  a  -happier  combination  in  the  grouping  of 
men,  who  were  destined  very  speedily  to  crystallize  into  a  har- 
monious unity.  They  blended  at  once — thinking,  feeling,  work- 
ing freely,  with  the  most  implicit  interchange  of  principle,  plan, 
and  aim ;  and  their  joint  labors  began  to  tell  in  the  college 
nnd  at  the  remotest  points  of  its  patronizing  territory.  Meth- 
odist youths  from  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  Maryland,  and 
Virginia,  began  to  gather  within  its  halls.  These  youths  need- 
ed not  only  literary  instruction,  but  also  the  ablest  moral  and 
spiritual  care  of  which  the  Church  was  capable.  The  Confer- 
ences and  the  Faculty  pledged  themselves  to  the  parents  that 
the  religion  and  morals  of  their  sons  should  not-  suffer  while 
under  college  oversight ;  and  hence  it  was  deemed  reasonable 
that  the  ministry  had  no  man  whose  powers  were  too  great  for 
Carlisle,  or  whose  eloquence  and  piety  could  be  more  usefully 
employed  than  in  inspiring  and  moulding  young  men  for  the 
future  of  the  Church  and  the  nation. 

Mr.  Cookman  was  accordingly  sent  to  take  the  charge  of  the 
Church,  composed  of  both  town  and  college  people.  He  was 
still  a  young  man,  in  all  the  glow  of  youthful  zeal,  in  the  full 


SUCCESS    IN    CARLISLE.  55 

force  of  rapidly  culminating  talents,  and  with  all  the  earnest- 
ness of  an  absorbing  devotion  to  the  single  work  of  a  Christian 
pastor.  His  task  as  a  preacher  was  a  most  difficult  and  deli- 
cate one — to  stand  before  a  congregation  constituted  as  congre- 
gations are  in  a  college  town.  He  must  satisfy  professors,  en- 
tertain students,  and  edify  tradespeople.  Could  any  position 
require  more  genuine  ability?  There  was  Durbin  before  him — 
a  natural  Tecumseh  in  the  pulpit,  then  in  his  prime,  whose 
words  from  the  same  desk  were  not  seldom  like  alternate  ice 
and  fire  bolts  crashing  through  the  consciences  of  the  hearers — 
there  was  Emory,  exact,  logical,  and  forcible — and  McClintock, 
in  the  first  flush  of  a  round,  graceful,  and  persuasive  oratory. 
There  too  were  the  fastidious,  hypercritical  collegians  of  all 
classes,  the  hardest  hearers ;  and,  not  least,  the  matter-of-fact 
outside  business  community  ;  but  the  pastor  was  master  of  the 
situation,  nothing  appalled  him  ;  his  commission  was  from  God, 
and  he  faithfully  fulfilled  it.  His  influence  over  all  classes  was 
unique  and  perfect.  In  the  pulpit,  the  parlor,  the  prayer-meet- 
ing, he  was  the  acknowledged  leader,  and  never  was  a  ministry 
under  like  circumstances  more  productive  of  good.'  His  tro- 
phies for  the  Cross  were  gathered  from  all  these  circles ;  young 
men  were  then  and  there  converted  through  his  preaching  who 
have  since  become  honored  in  all  the  walks  of  life. 

But  I  must  not  forget  our  boy  of  nine  summers,  whose  eyes 
opened  upon  these  scenes  in  which  his  worthy  father  was  so 
distinguished  an  actor.  He  also  had  come  to  college  ;  and  he 
equally,  but  in  a  different  sense,  was  to  be  the  companion  of 
these  classic  men  and  their  surroundings.  Under  such  circum- 
stances, in  this  focus  of  knowledge  and  piety,  an  impulse  was  to 
be  imparted  to  him  which  was  to  determine  his  whole  after-life. 
I  know  of  few  spots  upon  which  Alfred  could  have  fallen  at  this 
impressible  age  more  suitable  in  all  its  adjuncts  for  his  first 
formal  entrance  into  school.  Of  the  people  about  him,  to  whose 
constant  association  the  office  and  personal  worth  of  his  father 


56  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

would  naturally  introduce  him,  I  have  spoken  ;  but  of  the  place 
itself  and  its  environs  much  can  be  said.  Carlisle  has  but  little 
attractiveness  in  its  immediate  topography  or  in  its  artificial 
structure — a  plain  town,  its  only  importance  is  as  the  civil  and 
natural  centre  of  a  thrifty  agricultural  county,  without  any  ob- 
jects of  taste  whatever ;  the  outlying  country  is  very  beautiful. 
The  Cumberland  Valley,  in  which  it  lies,  is  broad  and  undula- 
ting, abounding  in  springs  and  streams ;  its  soil  rich  and  pro- 
ductive, its  whole  bosom  covered  with  fertile  farms  or  luxuriant 
forests ;  while  in  the  distance  on  either  side  the  North  and 
South  Mountains,  spurs  of  the  Alleghanies,  rise  into  promi- 
nence and  sweep  along  in  unbroken  succession,  save  here  and 
there  a  gentle  gap,  and  form,  in  their  continuous,  wavy  outlines, 
one  of  the  most  agreeable  prospects  which  can  be  offered  to  the 
eye.  I  doubt  if  old  Carlisle,  in  England,  after  which  it  is  named, 
possesses  a  more  charming  situation. 

It  can  not  be  supposed  that  this  physical  beauty  was  without 
educational  effect  upon  the  ardent  temperament  of  the  boy,  in- 
clined as  he  was  by  his  healthful  nature  to  relish  all  sensuous 
delights.  Indeed,  the  assthetical  sense  born  in  him,  and  after- 
ward so  strongly  marked  in  his  intellectual  development,  and 
the  devout  reverence  for  God  in  works  of  nature  always  so 
prominent  through  his  whole  life,  must  have  received  from  it  an 
exciting  and  durable  effect.  A  lad  so  reflective  as  he  is  repre- 
sented from  the  very  dawn  of  thought  could  not  have  been 
otherwise  than  most  favorably  influenced  by  habitual  contact 
with  scenes  so  simple  and  pleasing. 

"  Not  seldom  from  the  uproar  I  retired 
Into  a  silent  bay,  or  sportively 
Glanced  sidcway,  leaving  the  tumultuous  throng," 

might  doubtless  be  said  of  him  at  this  as  well  as  later  periods 
of  his  youth,  and  that  not  so  much  to  elude  his  companions  in 
play,  as  to  gain  for  himself  the  quiet  communion  for  which  his 
thoughtful  soul  thirsted. 


ALFRED'S  FIRST  LETTER.  57 

But  enough  of  my  fancy  and  a  little  of  fact  from  Alfred's  own 
hand.  Fortunately  one  of  his  earliest  letters  has  been  pre- 
served, and  lies  before  me  in  his  own  handwriting.  The  com- 
position must  be  regarded  as  creditable  for  a  boy  of  ten  years ; 
not  surprising,  however,  when  the  exercises  he  was  then  having 
in  school  and  the  constant  care  his  mother  gave  him  are  taken 
into  account.  The  penmanship  already  shows  the  indications 
of  the  beautiful  chirography  for  which  his  later  manuscripts  are 
noted.  It  is  to  his  grandfather,  Cookman : 

"CARLISLE,  January  27,  1838. 

"Mv  DEAR  GRANDFATHER, — I  have  long  been  thinking  that  it  was  my 
duty  to  write  a  letter  to  one  for  whom  I  desire  to  cherish  the  warmest  affec- 
tion, and  to  whom  we  are  already  under  very  great  obligations.  *  *  * 

"  First  of  all  I  must  congratulate  you  on  your  very  honorable  election  to 
the  high  office  of  mayor  to  the  important  and  flourishing  town  of  Kingston- 
upon-Hull.  Although  we  boys  are  Americans  and  Republicans  in  our  feel- 
ings, yet  we  are  not  insensible  to  the  honor  attached  to  offices  conferred  by 
the  votes  of  the  people.  *  *  * 

"  I  am  very  happy  to  say  that  dear  mother's  health  continues  very  good. 
Fortunately  for  her,  the  winter  up  to  this  time  has  been  unusually  mild ; 
indeed,  the  last  week  has  rather  resembled  the  month  of  April  than  January, 
so  that  she  has  been  able  to  go  out  three  or  four  times  a  week  in  the  middle 
of  the  day  and  see  her  friends.  Indeed,  ever  since  she  was  in  Baltimore  her 
health  has  been  gradually  improving,  and  long  may  she  live  to  be  what  she 
has  truly  been,  the  best  of  mothers. 

"About  Christmas  we  had  a  slight  fall  of  snow,  which  rendered  the  roads 
for  a  few  days  in  good  condition  for  sleighing,  which  is  the  favorite  winter 
pastime  in  these  parts.  Almost  every  farmer  has  a  good  sleigh,  and  when 
you  have  a  couple  of  stout  horses  and  a  plentiful  supply  of  thick  buffalo  skins 
to  keep  out  the  frost,  it  is  the  finest  riding  in  the  world.  Sometimes  the 
citizens  will  put  a  great  Pennsylvania  wagon  on  runners,  and  yoke  four  or 
five  good  horses,  and  then  thirty  or  forty  ladies  and  gentlemen  can  enjoy 
themselves  right  well.  Even  we  boys  have  our  little  sleigh,  and  it  would 
amuse  you  to  see  myself  and  George  going  at  full  speed,  with  Frank  on  the 
sleigh,  holding  little  John  on  his  knee. 

"  It  becomes  my  duty  to  give  some  account  of  our  progress  at  the  Gram- 
mar School.  This  is  a  large,  elegant  square  building,  three  stories  high, 
opposite  the  front  gate  of  the  college.  The  basement  floor  is  occupied  by 

C  2 


58  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

the  steward's  apartments,  the  second  by  two  spacious,  lofty  rooms,  above 
fifty  feet  square,  and  divided  by  two  folding-doors  into  the  English  and  Clas- 
sical departments.  Mr.  Roszell  has  the  superintendence,  and  is  a  very  strict 
man  indeed.  Mr.  Hey  is  an  Englishman,  and  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  best 
grammarians  in  the  country.  Mr.  Gary  and  Mr.  Bunting,  under  whose  care 
I  am  at  present,  are  the  assistants.  Since  I  entered  the  school  I  have  gone 
four  or  five  times  through  the  English  grammar,  and  twice  through  the 
Latin,  having  committed  all  the  rules  to  memory.  George  has  gone  twice 
through  his  English  grammar,  and  is  now  beginning  Latin.  I  have  been 
twice  through  Tytler's  Universal  History ;  I  am  nearly  through  my  Latin 
reader  and  geography,  and  have  drawn  a  few  maps.  In  arithmetic  I  am  as 
far  as  the  last  section  of  discount.  Besides  all  this,  I  have  constant  exer- 
cises in  parsing,  composition,  and  elocution.  I  have  written  four  or  five 
original  essays,  and  declaimed  before  the  school  three  times,  and  frequently, 
besides  three  or  four  other  tasks,  have  to  write  out  an  entire  Latin  verb  in 
an  evening.  So  you  may  believe  we  are  not  idle.  Indeed,  they  work  us 
very  hard.  Mr.  Roszell  says  it  will  keep  us  out  of  mischief,  and  father  says 
it  is  the  very  thing ;  but,  indeed,  I  really  do  not  know  how  I  should  have  got 
along  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  help  of  my  dear  mother,  who  usually  gives 
her  evenings  to  the  purpose. 

"  In  conclusion,  allow  me  to  say  that  we  hope  the  deep  interest  and  liber- 
ality you  have  manifested  for  our  education  will  be  met  by  a  corresponding 
application  and  improvement  on  our  part,  so  that  you  will  not  have  cause 
to  be  ashamed  of  us. 

"Father,  mother,  George,  Francis,  William  Wilberforce,  and  John  Emory 
all  unite  in  great  affection  to  yourself,  uncles,  aunts,  and  cousins  Robinson 
and  Holmes,  for  whose  welfare,  present  and  eternal,  we  are  taught  daily  to 
pray  to  Almighty  God.  Your  affectionate  grandson, 

"ALFRED  COOKMAN." 

To  this  the  father  adds  a  postscript : 

"  The  subjoined  is  a  Saturday  afternoon  exercise  which  Alfred,  at  my  in- 
stance, has  written  for  your  inspection,  and  at  your  request.  You  will  re- 
member he  is  only  just  ten  years  old,  and  has  been  subjected  to  the  inter- 
ruption of  the  children,  which  has  given  a  hurried  and  careless  air  to  his 
writing.  But  the  Right  Worshipful,  the  Mayor  of  Hull  and  Admiral  of  the 
I  lumber,  will  treat  the  American  boy  magnanimously,  especially  as  it  is  a 
first  effort  at  epistolary  writing. 

"  Your  Advertiser  came  safe  to  hand.  Your  '  inauguration  speech '  is 
going  the  rounds  to  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore  to  friends  Suddards  and  Plas- 
kitt.  It  was  in  the  college  reading-room  for  a  few  days,  and  was  admired  by 


SCHOOL  AND   HOME   TRAINING.  59 

the  Faculty  and  students  for  its  moderation  and  propriety.  Things  look 
squally  here  both  North  and  South.  Canada  will  not  easily  settle  on  the 
New  York  frontier.  I  am  solicited  to  go  to  Washington,  Philadelphia,  and 
Charleston,  but  will  leave  it  with  the  Episcopacy.  The  Lord  will  provide. 
Accept  our  love." 

Alfred's  "first  effort  at  epistolary  writing"  certainly  needs 
no  apology.  If  it  chances  to  fall  under  the  eye  of  any  "gram- 
mar-school" student  of  that  day,  its  references  to  the  "fine,  ele- 
gant square  building,"  and  to  Mr.  Roszell  as  "a  very  strict  man 
indeed,"  will  be  duly  appreciated.  Mr.  Roszell  did  not  believe 
in  sparing  the  rod ;  but  whether  he  ever  had  cause  to  admin- 
ister it  to  our  boy  or  no,  I  have  not  learned.  Alfred  was  stu- 
dious and  obedient ;  but  it  must  not  be  supposed  he  was  a  saint 
from  the  cradle.  The  moral  heroism  of  his  character  was  not 
without  its  physical  and  mental  basis  ;  and  possibly,  but  for  the 
timely  training  of  judicious  parents,  the  metal  of  his  disposition 
would  have  betrayed  him  into  many  of  the  rudenesses  of  other 
boys.  Twice  in  his  life  he  was  whipped — when  four  years  old, 
for  throwing  a  book  at  his  mother,  and,  when  seven  or  eight,  for 
fighting  with  his  brother  George.  Was  there  ever  a  boy  who 
didn't  enjoy  once  in  a  while  the  exercise  of  a  little  power  over 
his  younger  and  weaker  brother?  How  else  can  he  show  his 
muscle  ?  And  who  so  fair  a  subject  for  Alfred's  muscle  as  little 
George?  It  was  a  good  thing  in  the  mother  that  she  flogged 
the  darling  even  at  four  and  seven,  otherwise  "her  Solomon" 
would  likely  never  have  been,  and  her  temple  to  God  never 
have  been  reared.  Not  the  least  lesson  taught  him  while  he 
was  learning  "literature"  from  the  fair  friend,  was  this  whip- 
ping-lesson from  his  mother.  But  how  like  a  sweet  melody 
breathes  the  testimony  of  the  dear  mother  to  the  fidelity  of  her 
boy,  even  thus  young  in  years:  "  His  boyhood  was  spent  pretty 
much  like  that  of  other  boys,  in  the  sports  and  occupations  of 
that  period  of  his  young  life.  Obedience  to  parental  authority 
was  a  prominent  characteristic  from  his  earliest  years.  Prompt- 


60  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

ness  in  the  performance  of  duty  was  another  beautiful  trait.  In- 
dustry, patience,  and  perseverance  were  very  early  brought  into 
requisition,  and  served  a  good  purpose  in  laying  a  foundation 
for  the  successive  periods  of  after  life."  In  this  letter,  too,  is 
seen  already  the  dawn  of  his  thorough  Americanism,  and  of  his 
faculty  for  description.  The  sleighs  and  sleigh-rides  of  a  Penn- 
sylvania winter,  the  sled  with  himself  and  George  in  the  har- 
ness, "going  at  full  speed,  with  Frank  on  the  sleigh  holding  lit- 
tle John  on  his  knee" — are  not  these  to  the  life  ?  This  first  let- 
ter also  shows  us  Alfred  among  his  brothers.  Alas !  too  soon 
the  buoyant  lad,  whose  heart  knew  no  thrill  except  of  gladness 
as  he  guided  the  sports  of  his  gleeful  brothers,  was  to  stand 
among  them  an  elder  brother  and  a  thoughtful  counselor.  But 
let  the  vail  rest,  for  we  are  yet  some  way  from  the  awful  dark- 
ness, and  have  many  important  and  pleasant  steps  to  take  be- 
fore we  reach  it. 

In  this  winter  of  1838  Alfred  made  another  first  effort,  of 
greater  moment  than  his  first  essay  at  "epistolary  writing." 
The  deep  religious  seriousness  which  he  had  felt  in  Baltimore 
had  not  at  any  time  wholly  subsided,  and  now,  under  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  was  vividly  renewed.  "  There  (Carlisle)  I 
became,"  he  has  recorded,  "the  subject  of  powerful  conviction. 
Often  I  have  risen  from  my  meal  and  sought  some  lonely  place 
where  I  might  weep  on  account  of  sin.  Frequently  I  have  lain 
awake  on  my  bed,  fearing  to  sleep,  lest  I  might  wake  up  amid 
the  darkness  and  horrors  of  an  eternal  Hell.  Sin  became  a 
burden  too  intolerable  to  be  borne."  This  is  strong  language 
for  a  youth  of  ten  years,  and  for  one  who  had  been  uniformly 
affectionate  and  obedient ;  and  yet  such  an  experience  even  for 
a  youth  in  those  days  was  hardly  exceptional ;  but  though  it 
might  have  been,  in  his  case  it  is  not  surprising  in  view  of  the 
sharp  and  definite  features  his  religious  character  always  as- 
sumed. Here,  in  the  beginning  of  the  spiritual  life,  is  the  same 
positiveness  which  afterward  characterized  his  maturity.  "  Sin 


ALFRED'S  CONVERSION.  61 

is  real,  Hell  is  real ;  I  am  a  sinner ;  I  am  in  danger  of  its  pun- 
ishment." Such  was  the  revelation  the  Holy  Ghost  made  in 
his  conscience,  and  he  felt  and  acted  accordingly.  It  may 
not  be  necessary  that  every  youth  should  feel  thus  deeply  in 
order  to  become  regenerate,  but  for  Alfred  Cookman  it  was  the 
very  best  preparation  he  could  have  had  for  that  clear  and 
definite  religious  experience  which  subsequently  distinguished 
him.  Fortunately  he  has  left  a  narration  of  his  conversion, 
which  I  give  entire  : 

"During  the  month  of  February,  1838,  while  a  protracted 
meeting  was  in  progress  in  Carlisle,  I  concluded  'now  is  the 
accepted  time,'  '  now  is  the  day  of  salvation.'  One  night,  when 
a  social  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  a  friend,  I  struggled 
with  my  feelings,  and,  although  it  was  a  fearful  cross,  I  urged 
my  way  to  a  bench  which  was  specially  appropriated  for  peni- 
tents. My  heart  convulsed  with  penitential  sorrow,  tears  stream- 
ing down  my  cheeks,  I  said,  'Jesus,  Jesus,  I  give  myself  away; 
'tis  all  that  I  can  do.'  For  some  hours  I  sought,  without,  how- 
ever, realizing  the  desire  of  my  heart.  The  next  evening  I 
renewed  the  effort.  The  evening  after  that  the  service  was  held 
in  the  church;  the  altar  was  crowded  with  seeking  souls,  princi- 
pally students  of  Dickinson  College ;  there  seemed  to  be  no 
place  for  me,  an  agonized  child.  I  remember  I  found  my  way 
into  one  corner  of  the  church.  Kneeling  all  alone,  I  said,  'Pre- 
cious Saviour,  Thou  art  saving  others,  oh,  wilt  Thou  not  save  me  ?' 
As  I  wept  and  prayed  and  struggled,  a  kind  hand  was  laid  on 
my  head.  I  opened  my  eyes  and  found  it  was  a  Mr.  James 
Hamilton,  a  prominent  member  and  an  elder  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  Carlisle.  He  had  observed  my  interest,  and 
obeying  the  promptings  of  a  kind,  sympathizing  Christian  heart, 
he  came  to  encourage  and  help  me.  I  remember  how  sweetly 
he  unfolded  the  nature  of  faith  and  the  plan  of  salvation.  I 
said,  'I  will  believe,  I  do  believe;  I  now  believe  that  Jesus  is  my 
Saviour;  that  He  saves  me — yes,  even  now;'  and  immediately, 


62  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  '  The  opening  heavens  did  round  me  shine 

With  beams  of  sacred  bliss ; 
And  Jesus  showed  His  mercy  mine, 
And  whispered  I  am  His.' 

"  I  love  to  think  of  it  now ;  it  fills  my  heart  unutterably  full 
of  gratitude,  love,  and  joy.  '  Happy  day ;  oh,  happy  day,  when 
Jesus  washed  my  sins  away  !' " 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  great  change  wrought  in  his 
heart,  as  presented  in  his  own  language  in  mature  life,  was  as 
decided  in  the  evidences  of  its  thoroughness,  as  were  his  con- 
victions for  sin. 

The  altar  was  thronged  with  older  persons,  mostly  students, 
whose  presence  and  importance  very  naturally  engrossed  atten- 
tion ;  he  was  only  a  little  boy ;  his  feelings  might  be  regarded 
as  the  result  of  a  sympathetic  excitement,  and  not  worthy  of  es- 
pecial notice ;  but  he  understood  himself,  and  oppressed  with 
sin  and  bent  upon  relief,  "he  found  himself  in  one  corner  of  the 
church,  all  alone."  Ah!  my  little  brother,  God's  Spirit  was  do- 
ing a  genuine  work  in  your  young  heart.  Your  great  Creator 
had  also  put  iron  in  your  "make-up1'  when  He  formed  you. 
There  were  hours  coming  when  again  "  all  alone  with  your  Sav- 
iour" you  must  stand;  hours  so  bitter  in  their  loneliness  that 
only  Jesus  and  self-reliance  can  keep  you  firm  to  duty  and  give 
you  victory.  Although  Alfred  was  off  in  the  corner,  God  sent 
him  a  kind  friend  who  opened  the  kingdom  of  God  to  him. 
There  are  always  some  great  souls  who  can  understand  the 
hearts  of  little  children,  and  have  faith  enough  to  anticipate  the 
harvests  which  will  come  of  tiny  seeds.  But  Alfred. had  good 
companionship  among  the  youths  brought  to  God  in  this  re- 
vival. The  great  Head  of  the  Church  was  electing  others  who, 
like  himself,  were  to  be  marked  and  useful  men. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

REV.  GEORGE  G.  COOKMAN  IN  THE  CAPITAL  OF  THE  NATION. — 
THE  YOUTH  OF  ALFRED. 

THE  time  had  come — spring  of  1838 — when  Mr.  Cookman 
must  again  remove,  and  go  he  knew  not  whither,  at  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  Episcopacy.  As  intimated  in  the  letter  already 
quoted,  Philadelphia,  Charleston,  and  Washington  wished  his 
services.  To  the  latter  city,  the  national  capital,  he  was  sent ; 
and  the  cozy  college  town  was  exchanged  for  the  political  cen- 
tre of  the  nation,  and  now  upon  a  broader  scene  the  eloquent 
and  devout  preacher  was  to  make  his  appearance.  The  two 
years  at  Carlisle  were  invaluable  to  the  man  who  henceforth 
must  stand  before  "  kings."  Two  more  years,  and  four  or  six 
more,  would  have  been  valuable  to  Alfred.  It  was  hard  for  him 
to  leave  the  "  stately  grammar  school,"  with  its  "  strict  disci- 
pline," and  to  give  up  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  entrance  into  the 
walls  of  the  college,  a  prize  so  coveted  by  every  true  "'prep;" 
but  when  the  itinerant  wheel  rolls,  the  schools  of  boys  must 
stand  out  of  the  way,  and  so  Alfred  must  go  with  father  and 
mother  and  brothers ;  he  was  too  young  to  be  left  behind,  and 
he  must  do  the  best  he  can  in  the  pursuit  of  "literature"  in 
Washington  City.  Mr.  Cookman  was  stationed  at  Wesley 
Chapel,  then  a  new  charge,  comprising  in  its  membership  many 
of  the  most  cultivated  and  progressive  Methodists  of  the  city. 

The  proximity  of  his  church  to  the  Capitol  rendered  it  con- 
venient of  access  to  the  members  of  Congress  and  to  strangers 
visiting  Washington  during  the  sessions.  His  ministry  began 
at  once  to  excite  attention  ;  soon  the  chapel  was  thronged  with 
hearers  from  all  sections  of  the  country,  irrespective  of  denomi- 


64  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

national  connections,  and  his  reputation  was  promptly  estab- 
lished as  a  first-class  pulpit  orator.  It  may  be  safely  affirmed 
that  no  minister  ever  entered  Washington  who  maintained  from 
first  to  last  a  greater  ascendency  over  the  popular  heart.  Men 
and  women  of  every  grade  of  society,  of  every  station  in  the 
government,  were  equally  charmed  by  his  forcible  and  beautiful 
eloquence.  Senators,  heads  of  Departments  and  their  clerks, 
rich  and  poor,  the  litterateur  and  the  illiterate  man,  the  slave- 
holder and  the  slave,  all  alike  were  captured  by  his  magical 
tongue,  and  he  swayed  their  hearts  as  with  the  wand  of  a  ma- 
gician— with  "a  warrior's  eye  beneath  a  philosopher's  brow," 
his  spell  was  irresistible. 

Mr.  Cookman  had  a  reputation  for  eloquence  before  his  ad- 
vent in  Washington.  This  undoubtedly  helped  him  to  an  ex- 
pectant hearing ;  but,  if  he  had  not  possessed  genuine  power, 
his  failure  must  have  been  proportionately  great,  as  the  pre- 
vious expectations  aroused  had  been  high.  To  sustain  a  repu- 
tation is  proof  of  real  ability.  In  most  instances,  however,  his 
power  was  attested  by  his  signal  influence  over  men  who,  out- 
side of  the  Methodist  Church,  had  never  heard  of  him,  or  who 
went  first  to  listen  to  him  with  comparative  indifference.  Often- 
times the  casual  listener,  who  had  come  to  church  to  worship, 
to  hear  any  body,  and  who  was  not  acquainted  either  with  the 
name  or  the  personal  appearance  of  Mr.  Cookman,  was  so 
strongly  impressed  as  to  wish  to  hear  him  constantly  ever  after- 
ward. As  an  example  illustrative  of  this,  and  also  showing  how 
Mr.  Cookman  came  to  be  elected  Chaplain  to  Congress,  I  give 
here  part  of  a  sketch  from  the  Hon.  O.  H.  Smith,  then  United 
States  Senator  from  Indiana,  which  appeared  in  the  Indianapo- 
lis Journal  soon  after  Mr.  Cookman's  death  : 

"  It  was  Sabbath  morning.  The  last  of  the  city  church-bells  was  ringing 
as  I  left  my  boarding-house  on  Capitol  Hill,  at  Washington  City,  for  Wesley 
Chapel.  It  was  quarterly  meeting.  The  preacher  had  closed  his  sermon, 
when  there  arose  at  the  desk  a  slender,  spare  man,  about  five  feet  eight, 


CHAPLAINCY    OF   THE    U.  S.  SENATE.  65 

dark  complexion,  black  hair  falling  carelessly  over  his  high  forehead,  lean, 
bony  face,  wide  mouth,  round  breasted  black  coat  with  velvet  falling  collar, 
black  vest  and  pantaloons.  Addressing  the  congregation,  he  said:  'We  de- 
sire to  take  up  a  small  collection  for  the  relief  of  destitute,  worn-out  Meth- 
odist preachers  and  their  families.  We  appeal  to-day  to  the  hearts  of  the 
congregation,'  and  took  his  seat.  A  large  collection  followed.  I  whispered 
to  Patrick  G.  Good,  of  Ohio,  who  sat  by  me,  'Who  is  that?'  'Don't  you 
know  him  ?  It  is  George  G.  Cookman.'  The  next  Sabbath  I  was  at  the 
chapel  again.  Mr.  Cookman  preached.  I  returned  satisfied  that  he  was 
no  ordinary  man.  The  election  for  Chaplain  of  the  Senate  came  on  a  few 
days  after,  and  without  the  knowledge  of  Mr.  Cookman,  I  privately  suggest- 
ed his  name  to  the  Senators  around  me.  The  most  of  them  had  heard  him 
preach.  He  was  elected  Chaplain  by  a  decided  vote  over  Rev.  Henry  Sli- 
cer,*  against  whom  there  was  not  the  least  objection ;  but  we  wanted  to 
bring  Mr.  Cookman  more  prominently  before  the  public.  The  next  Sab- 
bath he  preached  his  first  sermon  in  the  Hall  of  the  House,  to  a  very  large 
congregation,  from  the  text,  '  The  sword  of  the  Lord  and  of  Gideon.'  He 
made  a  profound  impression  on  his  hearers  that  day,  which  seemed  to  in- 
crease with  every  succeeding  sermon." 

Such  a  testimony  was  all  the  more  creditable  to  Mr.  Cook- 
man, coming,  as  it  did,  from  a  Presbyterian  gentleman.  The 
interest  shown  in  promoting  his  election  to  the  Chaplaincy  of 
the  United  States  Senate  was  certainly  magnanimous  in  Mr. 
Smith,  but  is  the  more  significant  as  showing  the  remarkable  in- 
fluence which  Mr.  Cookman  gained  over  those  who  heard  him. 

It  was  in  the  winter  of  1838-9  that  his  election  to  this  honor- 
able position  occurred.  Politics  were  running  high.  The  coun- 
try has  never  known  a  more  excited  political  canvass,  except 
during  the  late  civil  war,  than  was  then  pending.  The  Whigs 
and  the  Democrats  were  the  two  great  parties  which  disputed 
for  victory.  The  first  talents  of  the  land  were  gathered  in  the 
capital.  Orators,  whose  names  are  forever  identified  with  the 
classic  period  of  American  eloquence ;  statesmen,  who  were 
probing  and  settling  the  principles  of  constitutional  law  for 

*  The  Rev.  Dr.  Slicer  was  several  times  Chaplain  of  the  Senate  after  this, 
and  always  sustained  a  high  reputation  for  fidelity  in  the  position. 


66  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

generations  yet  unborn ;  sagacious  men  from  all  the  pursuits  of 
life,  elected  to  represent  the  diversified  interests  of  widely  differ- 
ing sections,  were  experimenting  in  the  problems  of  banking, 
protection,  free-trade,  of  slave  and  free  labor,  of  colonization, 
of  internal  improvements ;  soldiers,  whose  laurels  won  in  the 
late  war  with  England  were  scarcely  yet  withered,  and  who, 
jealous  of  every  possible  encroachment  of  the  mother-country, 
were  eagerly  watching  for  the  adjustment  of  all  difficulties  be- 
tween the  two  nations  on  a  satisfactory  basis — these  all  were  in 
the  Congress  of  1838-9.  The  illustrious  triumvirs  —  Clay, 
Webster,  and  Calhoun — and  many  others  of  hardly  less  fame, 
such  as  Benton,  Berrien,  Preston,  Wright,  Buchanan,  occupied 
seats  in  the  Senate.  But  Mr.  Cookman  was  equally  at  home 
here  as  he  had  been  at  Carlisle  before  the  professors. 

A  man  Of  one  work,  his  simple,  devout  piety  was  unchanged, 
and  here,  as  elsewhere,  inspired  his  preaching  and  his  conduct. 
He  so  preached  and  so  lived,  with  such  an  evident  singleness 
of  purpose,  with  such  unaffected  humility  of  spirit,  as  to  win 
universal  respect  and  confidence.  His  theme  was  Christ  cru- 
cified ;  his  object  the  salvation  of  men.  Whether  he  preached 
in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives  or  in  his  own 
church,  his  sermons  were  not  only  eloquent  in  the  popular 
sense,  but  appropriate,  forcible,  and  direct,  and  uniformly  con- 
veyed to  those  who  heard  him  proof  of  his  deep  and  thorough 
religious  earnestness.  In  these  hours  of  responsibility,  when 
the  wisest  were  ready  to  receive  his  instructions ;  and  of  dan- 
ger, when  the  incense  of  praise  was  perfuming  his  life,  there 
was  need  of  all  that  close  application  to  books,  that  profound 
devotion  to  Christ,  and  that  jealousy  of  self  which  he  cultivated 
in  his  earlier  religious  experience.  There  is  such  a  thing  as  the 
hiding  of  power  in  the  present  for  the  uses  of  the  future.  Young 
men,  whom  the  great  Master  leads  through  conflicts,  through 
long  and  tedious  days  of  proving,  through  earnest  and  self-de- 
nying wrestles  for  purity  and  knowledge,  do  not  always  realize 


EX-PRESIDENT    PIERCE.  67 

that  they  are  storing  the  strength  which  is  afterward  to  be  their 
great  resource.  The  highest  proof  of  a  great  mind  is  its  reserved 
force.  In  this  element  Mr.  Cookman  was  pre-eminent  in  his 
sphere.  His  hold  on  God,  his  clear-sightedness,  his  firm  con- 
victions, his  understanding  of  his  own  aims,  his  thorough  self- 
abnegation,  enabled  him  to  stand  unawed  before  the  wisdom  of 
the  nation. 

As  might  be  expected,  a  ministry  thus  faithful  was  not  with- 
out its  direct  fruits.  In  an  ordinary  church  immediate  results 
are  looked  for,  and  usually  follow ;  but  too  often  the  highest 
ends  of  preaching,  when  to  such  congregations  as  then  assem- 
bled in  the  House  of  Representatives,  are  left  to  the  remote  fut- 
ure. Some  of  the  first  men  of  the  land  were  deeply  moved  by 
the  minister's  searching  and  persuasive  appeals.  Among  them 
was  ex-President  Franklin  Pierce,  at  that  time  one  of  the  Sen- 
ators from  New  Hampshire.  Mr.  Pierce  never  ceased  to  cher- 
ish for  the  memory  of  Mr.  Cookman  the  most  reverent  affection, 
and  although  he  did  not  at  this  time  take  a  decided  open  stand 
for  Christ  and  unite  with  the  Methodist  Church,  it  will  be  re- 
membered that  in  his  later  life  he  manifested  the  highest  respect 
for  religion,  and  some  years  before  his  death,  on  profession  of 
faith,  he  was  received  into  the  communion  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church.  It  will  be  no  breach  of  confidence,  now 
that  both  of  these  men  of  God  have  passed  away,  if  I  make 
public  Mr.  Cookman's  own  account  of  Mr.  Pierce's  awakening, 
written  at  the  time  to  Professor  Caldwell,  of  Dickinson  College. 
Reference  is  also  made  to  Senator  Linn,  of  Missouri,  who  like- 
wise manifested  much  religious  feeling : 

"  WASHINGTON  CITY,  D.  C.,  February  28th,  1839. 
*        *        *        *        #         *        #***        *        * 
"  This  morning  I  had  an  interesting  and  memorably  affecting  interview 
with  a  friend  of  yours,  Senator  Pierce,  of  New  Hampshire,  who  is  at  pres- 
ent the  subject  of  deep,  poignant  convictions  of  the  Spirit  of  God.     He  has 
been  attending  my  ministry  regularly  ever  since  I  have  been  in  the  city,  and 
for  the  last  three  or  four  weeks  his  heart  has  been  broken  up  indeed,  and 


68  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

0 

a  more  sincere,  humble,  penitent  sinner  I  have  seldom  seen.  He  opened 
his  mind,  he  said,  for  the  first  time  to  any  human  being  on  the  overwhelm- 
ing subject  of  his  soul's  salvation,  and  while  tears  coursed  down  his  cheeks, 
and  he  paced  the  room — and  then  sat  down  and  commenced  anew  the  histo- 
ry of  his  life  and  the  convictions  of  God's  Spirit  upon  his  mind ;  my  own 
mind  was  deeply  affected,  for  he  is  a  gentleman  to  whom  I  am  very  much 
attached — an  amiable,  frank,  sincere  character.  He  expresses  his  intention 
of  attending  the  ministry  and  class-meetings  of  the  Methodists  on  his  return 
to  Concord,  and  also  here  in  this  city,  if  spared  to  see  another  session  of 
Congress.  He  requested  me  to  pray  for  him  on  the  spot,  in  my  parlor,  and 
appeared  deeply  affected  and  earnestly  engaged  for  the  salvation  of  his  soul. 
"  Senator  Linn,  of  Missouri,  has  also  manifested  great  interest  on  the  sub- 
ject of  religion.  He  is  intimate  with  Senator  Pierce — may  both  be  brought 
into  the  favor  and  peace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  If  you  are  acquainted 
with  the  Rev.  J.  M.  F.,  the  stationed  preacher  at  Concord,  New  Hampshire, 
a  few  lines  from  you  advising  of  Senator  Pierce's  peculiar  religious  state 
might  be  expedient — although  I  think  it  best  in  general  to  keep  these  cases 
away  from  the  bulk  of  our  people,  who  talk  too  much  when  great  sinners  are 
convicted,  which  often  defeats  the  desired  object.  If  you  could  write  to  the 
Senator  it  might  have  a  good  effect." 

Among  Professor  Caldwell's  unpublished  manuscripts  is  a 
letter  to  the  Senator,  breathing  a  wisdom,  purity,  fidelity,  and 
affection  which  must  have  been  not  Only  kindly  received,  but 
have  made  an  enduring  impression  upon  his  mind.  One  of  its 
closing  sentences  is,  "Permit  me,  my  dear  sir,  to  express  a 
hope  that  your  application  to  the  fountain  of  all  truth,  and  to 
the  source  of  all  wisdom,  may  be  so  successful  that  you  may 
never  have  occasion  to  rest  your  hopes  for  this  world  or  the 
next  on  the  doubts  and  uncertainties  of  skepticism — the  system 
to  which  I  believe  all  ultimately  resort  who  are  so  unfortunate 
as  to  find  no  better." 

But  I  must  not  forget,  in  the  work  and  fame  which  were  thus 
clustering  so  thickly  about  the  father,  the  lovely  youth  who  was 
unobtrusively  pursuing  the  even  tenor  of  his  way.  It  was  Mr. 
Cookman's  habit  to  make  a  companion  of  Alfred.  Frequently 
he  took  him  to  the  Senate  Chamber,  where  he  received  the  at- 
tentions of  Senators  in  the  genial  greetings  which  occurred. 


ALFRED   IN   THE   CAPITAL.  69 

He  was  just  then  as  handsome,  well-formed,  and  as  engaging  a 
boy  of  eleven  years  as  could  be  found.  He  could  appreciate, 
if  not  the  intrinsic  worth,  the  manifest  popularity  of  his  father 
as  evinced  in  the  position  to  which  he  was  chosen,  in  the  crowds 
that  thronged  his  ministry,  and  in  the  compliments  bestowed 
on  his  preaching ;  and  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  he  was  indiffer- 
ent to  it  all.  His  young  heart  swelled,  no  doubt,  with  emotions 
of  pride  for  his  father,  and  for  himself  as  the  son  of  such  a  fa- 
ther, and  the  consequent  partner  in  his  fame.  The  outside 
world  of  men  and  things  into  which  Alfred  was  thus  introduced, 
differed  vastly  from  the  simple  surroundings  of  Carlisle — great 
men,  great  buildings,  great  measures,  great  pageants ;  these 
now  crowded  the  thoughts  that  so  recently  were  taken  up  and 
satisfied  with  books,  play,  and  prayers. 

I  spoke  of  the  disadvantage  his  education  must  suffer  by  his 
removal  from  the  grammar  school  at  Carlisle  just  as  he  was 
getting  into  thorough  drill ;  equally  it  should  not  surprise  us  if 
his  religious  life,  when  removed  from  familiar  and  genial  friend- 
ships into  new  and  strange  associations,  were  to  meet  with  a 
chill  which  would  abate  its  warmth,  if  not  stop  its  growth.  The 
first  few  days  and  nights  of  a  plant's  transfer  from  the  nursery 
to  the  open  air,  are  always  days  and  nights  of  peril  to  its  open- 
ing buds.  How  many  young  Christians,  who  commence  with 
vigorous  promise,  fall  away  and  perish  because  of  a  too  sudden 
change  of  place  or  of  pastors!  Alfred  did  not  lose  his  religious 
faith ;  but,  by  his  own  acknowledgement,  his  experience  de- 
clined in  vitality — he  was  not  the  same  joyous  little  Christian 
for  some  months  that  he  had  been  soon  after  being  "all  alone 
with  Jesus"  in  the  corner  of  the  church. 

"  Some  time  after  this  we  removed  to  Washington  City,  in  the 
District  of  Columbia.  Here  I  fell  in  with  new  associates  who 
felt  no  interest  in  the  subject  of  religion,  and  declined  a  little 
in  my  warmth  and  zeal,  and  partook  a  little  too  much  of  their 
spirit."  The  subsidence  of  his  piety  was  of  short  duration. 


70  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  The  camp-meeting  season  rolled  around ;  I  expressed  a  de- 
sire to  go ;  my  mother  cheerfully  consented,  observing,  '  My 
son,  I  want  you  to  seek  at  the  meeting  an  entire  restoration  of 
your  former  happy  experience,  and  regain  every  step  you  have 
lost  by  want  of  watchfulness.'  Her  counsel  followed  me  to  the 
forest.  I  sought  God  again.  I  remember  the  night ;  I  remem- 
ber the  circumstances ;  the  struggle  was  long  and  painful,  U 
continued  almost  to  the  breaking  of  the  day.  Glory  to  God .' 
however,  He  who  said,  'Return  unto  Me,  backsliding  Israel, 
and  I  will  heal  all  thy  backsliclings  and  love  thee  freely,'  heard 
and  answered,  and  restored  unto  me  the  joy  of  His  salvation. 
Oh  how  beautiful  the  following  morning  appeared !  the  sky 
seemed  bluer  than  before,  the  air  sweeter,  the  trees  greener,  the 
landscape  lovelier^-all  nature  seemed  to  appear  in  a  new  dress. 
I  felt  like  saying,  '  Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  fear  God,  and  I 
will  tell  you  what  He  hath  done  for  my  soul.'  My  precious  fa- 
ther had  gone  off  the  ground  to  spend  the  night.  I  knew  the 
way  he  would  most  probably  return.  I  hastened  in  that  direc- 
tion, saw  him  coming,  sprung  into  his  arms,  fell  on  his  neck, 
and  told  him  how  happy  I  was.  Since  then  I  have  had  a  place 
in  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ.  In  the  midst  of  great  unfaith- 
fulness and  unworthiness  God  has  borne  with  and  preserved 
me,  and  now  I  feel  to  say, 

" '  Here  I'll  raise  my  Ebenezer, 
Hither  by  Thy  help  I've  come.' 

"  I  attribute  my  conversion  under  God  to  the  instruction,  ex- 
ample, and  influence  of  pious  parents." 

Henceforth  the  camp-meeting  was  to  be  hallowed  ground  to 
Alfred  Cookman.  The  father  was  nowhere  more  effective  than 
when  on  "the  stand"  before  a  crowd  at  camp-meeting.  The 
ample  platform,  the  absence  of  huge  breastworks,  the  direct 
contact  with  the  worshiping  throng,  the  presence  of  earnest 
brethren,  the  natural  and  artificial  accompaniments  offered  the 
exact  conditions  of  his  happiest  efforts ;  but  Alfred  was  to  find 


ALFRED   UNITES   WITH   THE   CHURCH.  71 

in  the  camp-meeting  all  these  aids,  and  more — the  memory  of 
this  happy  renewal  of  religious  joy  which  he  has  so  graphically 
narrated.  His  attachment  to  the  camp-meeting,  the  ardor  and 
constancy  with  which  he  used  it  as  an  agency  of  good,  and  the 
gracious  results  accomplished  by  him  through  it,  ought  not  to 
surprise  us.  It  is  manifest  from  this  account,  our  young  friend 
could  not  consent  to  be  religious  by  halves — he  must  be  a 
whole-hearted  Christian,  or  not  at  all.  Entireness  becomes  the 
fundamental  law  of  his  spiritual  life.  If  these  pages  shall  dis- 
close any  thing  in  regard  to  him,  it  must  be,  "All  for  God" — 
"first,  last,  midst."  He  returned  from  the  camp-meeting  with 
his  heart  all  aglow  with  sacred  joy,  and  from  the  impulse  which 
it  awakened  began  at  once  to  seek  means  of  personal  useful- 
ness. He  must  communicate  what  he  knew  and  felt  to  other 
boys;  and  so,  of  his  free  motion,  "he  established  a  prayer-meet- 
ing for  boys  of  his  own  age,  and  worked  in  various  ways  to  im- 
press his  own  spirit  upon  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact 
Many  were  induced  to  take  their  first  steps  in  a  religious  life 
through  his  example  and  persuasion." 

In  the  autumn  (1838)  he  united  with  the  Church.  His  fa- 
ther had  thought  it  best  to  keep  him  on  "probation"  until  he 
gave  satisfactory  proofs  of  a  stable  piety.  Soon  after  his  re- 
moval to  Washington  he  commenced  to  exercise  himself  on  the 
platform  as  a  speaker,  and  at  that  early  age  received  much 
commendation  and  evinced  great  promise,  so  that  "predictions 
were  freely  made  of  what  the  future  of  this  young  speaker  might 
be-,  to  which  the  father  readily  assented."  It  was  no  little  credit 
to  the  youthful  "Cicero"  that  his  father  readily  assented,  for, 
whether  for  banter  or  not,  Mr.  Cookman  used  to  rouse  the 
mother's  jealousy  for  her  little  "Temple  builder"  by  intimating, 
"  Your  Solomon  is  a  rather  dull  boy !"  I  doubt  if  he  was  even 
then  so  noted  for  quickness  of  perception  as  for  tenacity  in 
sticking  to  a  lesson  until  he  had  mastered  it,  and  then  holding 
it  fast.  What  is  of  most  interest  at  this  particular  point  is — he 


72  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

appears  before  us  at  twelve  years  of  age  a  decidedly  religious 
lad  in  experience  and  action,  and  a  speaker,  thus  affording  us  a 
clear  view  of  the  dawn  of  that  personal  career  which  was  event- 
ually to  open  into  full-orbed  day. 

Mr.  Cookman  during  the  winters  of  1839-40,  1840-41,  was 
at  the  zenith  of  his  fame.  The  newspapers  of  the  day  not  un- 
frequently  noticed  his  preaching  in  the  most  complimentary 
terms.  Numerous  extracts  could  be  given  showing  the  high 
estimate  in  which  he  was  held,  both  as  a  man  and  a  Christian 
minister.  A  correspondent  of  the  United  States  Gazette,  then 
the  leading  paper  of  Philadelphia,  under  date  of  January  yth, 
1839,  wrote  thus  of  one  of  his  earlier  efforts:  "Yesterday  the 
Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives  was  crowded  to  over- 
flowing for  the  purpose  of  hearing  Mr.  Cookman,  the  new  Chap- 
lain of  the  Senate.  *  *  *  All  the  elite  of  Washington  City  were 
present.  Thronged  as  we  are  with  strangers  during  the  sessions 
of  Congress,  there  is  no  place  of  worship  to  which  they  feel  that 
they  have  a  sort  of  legitimate  right  of  entree,  except  when  the 
House  of  the  People  of  the  United  States  is  converted  into  the 
House  of  God :  thither  they  usually  flock  for  their  religious  exer- 
cises. All  sects  as  well  as  all  ranks  join  their  devotions  here, 
and  I  have  always  observed  that  the  ministry,  with  good  taste 
much  to  their  credit,  when  addressing  audiences  of  such  pe- 
culiar character,  shun  those  points  of  doctrine  which  are  pro- 
ductive of  controversy,  and  content  themselves  with  inculcating 
religion  in  its  broad,  simple,  and  incontrovertible  sense.  Mr. 
Cookman  is  of  the  Methodist  persuasion,  and  has  won  consider- 
able celebrity  for  his  oratorical  power.  Slightly  made,  of  an 
age  scarcely  exceeding  thirty  years  (as  far  as  I  could  form  an 
opinion  at  a  distance),  free  from  affectation  of  style  and  manner, 
he  held  his  large  and  enlightened  auditory  in  the  deepest  atten- 
tion for  about  an  hour,  while  he  expounded  from  the  words  of 
St.  Paul,  '  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  for  it  is 
the  power  of  God  unto  salvation.'  The  descriptions  of  the 


FUNERAL  SERMON   OF   SENATOR   BETTS.  73 

apostle  were  given  with  a  graphic  power  which  was  attested  by 
the  deep  silence  and  breathless  attention  of  all  present.  In 
that  vast  circle,  so  entirely  were  all  absorbed,  that  the  cracking 
of  a  chair  caused  a  visible  sensation.  From  the  death  of  Ste- 
phen, the  first  martyr,  he  tracked  him  to  the  arraignment  be- 
fore Felix,  marking  every  step  with  a  precision  which  gave  indi- 
viduality to  his  posture ;  and,  judging  from  the  countenances 
of  all  around  me,  I  was  satisfied  the  preacher  had  established 
himself  on  a  high  basis  as  a  Christian  orator." 

An  occasion  which  afforded  an  opportunity  for  the  versatile 
talents  of  Mr.  Cookman,  particularly  for  the  expression  of  pa- 
thos as  an  element  of  power,  occurred  at  the  funeral  services  of 
the  Hon.  Thaddeus  Betts,  of  Connecticut.  Mr.  Van  Buren,  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  Mr.  Forsyth,  Mr.  Woodbury,  Mr. 
Poinsett,  and  Mr.  Paulding,  the  heads  of  Departments,  with  a 
great  number  of  the  foreign  Ministers  and  members  of  both 
Houses  of  Congress,  were  present.  A  correspondent  of  the  Bal- 
timore American  wrote  of  the  sermon  by  Mr.  Cookman :  "  It  was 
one  of  the  most  eloquent  and  appropriate  performances  I  have 
ever  heard,  and,  though  continued  through  an  unusual  length  of 
time,  it  was  listened  to  with  almost  breathless  attention."  The 
Hon.  Mr.  Smith,  of  Indiana,  before  quoted,  said  of  this  occa- 
sion :  "I  distinctly  recollect  one  of  his  figures  of  speech — 'As 
the  human  family  come  upon  the  great  stage  of  life,  they  find 
at  every  fork  of  the  road  the  finger-board  distinctly  pointing  to 
the  grave — to  the  grave !  There  is  no  other  road  to  travel  from 
infancy  to  old  age  and  death,  but  the  road  that  leads  to  the 
grave.'  There  was  not  a  dry  eye  in  the  Chamber  when  he  closed 
his  sermon  of  one  hour,  and  sang  alone — his  voice  was  melody 
itself — the  single  verse  of  the  hymn, 

" '  And  must  this  body  die, 

This  well-wrought  frame  decay  ? 
And  must  these  active  limbs  of  mine 
Lie  mouldering  in  the  clay  ?' " 
D 


74  LIFE   OF  ALFRED  COOKMAN. 

Nor  was  Mr.  Cookman  wanting  in  that  delicate  humor  which 
is  so  often  allied  with  real  pathos.  He  could  use  it  too  as  cir- 
cumstances required,  so  that,  while  it  would  cut  and  correct,  it 
rarely  offended  those  at  whom  it  was  aimed,  or  the  good  taste 
of  the  most  refined  hearers.  A  writer  in  the  New  York  Amer- 
ican said  of  a  passage  in  one  of  his  sermons :  "  He  ventured 
once  to-day  on  delicate  ground.  After  having  stated  what  the 
world  is  learning  from  the  Church,  he  observed,  in  substance, 
'  that  statesmen  are  imitating  the  apostles  of  Christianity,  and 
have  become  itinerating  preachers  of  late,  and  that  within  a  few 
months  there  have  been  many  convictions,  many  conversions, 
and  no  want  of  songs  and  anthems  (to  the  triumphs  of  Truth).' 
The  idea  of  this  parenthesis,  it  is  true,  was  not  openly  con- 
veyed ;  but  it  occasioned  many  smiles,  and  some  red  faces.* 
However,  the  preacher  escaped  just  in  season  to  save  himself. 
It  was  a  nice  touch.  The  effect  of  all  such  things  depends 
upon  the  manner  and  the  tact  of  the  man,  in  connection  with 
the  general  respect  he  inspires.  I  do  not  think  any  body  that 
was  present  will  scold  about  it,  but  it  was  a  close  rub."  I  can 
not  forbear  quoting  a  little  further  from  this  writer.  His  de- 
scription will  recall  Mr.  Cookman  to  those  who  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  hearing  him,  and  to  those  who  had  not,  it  will  convey  a 
more  adequate  notion  of  the  man  and  his  preaching : 

"  I  have  already  said  that  I  think  he  is  deservedly  popular. 
He  is  modest,  unassuming,  and  dignified.  Withal  he  appears 
to  be  a  good  man  in  his  appropriate  calling.  In  the  pulpit  he 
has  much  action.  In  person  slender,  long  arms,  thin  face,  dark 
complexion,  busby  hair,  and  can  display  his  person  in  orator- 
ical action  to  great  advantage.  His  voice  is  good,  and  suscep- 
tible of  great  power.  His  language  is  well  chosen  and  simple. 
His  elocution  slow,  deliberate,  and  effective — imparting  great 
power  occasionally  to  a  single  word,  to  a  monosyllable,  by  his 
voice  and  manner.  But  it  is  not  manner  alone.  The  thought 
*  The  allusion  was  to  the  political  canvass  of  1840. 


STYLE. CATHOLICITY.  75 

is  the  soul,  and  is  always  worthy  of  attention.  He  has  now  and 
then  a  theatric  start  or  sudden  flight,  with  branching  arms  and 
stentorian  voice  or  falsetto  scream ;  not,  however,  offensive  to 
those  who  are  disposed  to  tolerate  liberties  of  this  sort.  It  is 
the  man  enacting  himself,  or  discoursing  in  his  own  way.  He  is 
decidedly  one  of  the  most  remarkable  models  of  eloquence 
there  is  in  either  House  of  Congress,  and  many  of  them  might 
take  lessons  of  him  with  profit." 

To  explain  fully  the  character  of  this  eminent  man,  and  the 
wide-spread  influence  which  he  exerted,  especially  beyond  his 
own  denomination,  it  is  necessary  to  note  the  catholicity  of  his 
spirit.  I  insert  the  following  extract  from  a  Washington  paper 
as  illustrative  of  this  trait,  and  also  for  its  allusion  to  one  of  the 
most  intellectual  and  saintly  ministers  which  American  Presby- 
terianism  has  produced :  "  On  Sunday  afternoon  last  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Cookman,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  so  justly 
celebrated  for  his  pulpit  oratory  and  liberal  sentiments,  preach- 
ed in  the  Rev.  Mr.  McLain's  Church  (First  Presbyterian,  on 
Four-ajid-a-half  Street).  His  text  was  ty/in  xvii.,  21:  'That 
they  all  may  be  one;  as  Thou,  Father,  art  in  Me,  and  I  in  Thee, 
that  they  also  may  be  one  in  Us :  that  the  world  may  believe 
that  Thou  hast  sent  Me.'  The  reverend  gentleman  stated  'that 
he  had  selected  this  text  for  the  reason  that,  in  conversation 
with  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Nevins  (of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Baltimore,  whose  precious  memory  even  the  iron  hand  of 
time  can  scarcely  ever  obliterate  from  the  minds  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church)  during  his  last  illness,  the  Doctor  observed  that, 
if  he  was  again  privileged  to  occupy  his  pulpit  but  once  more, 
he  would  endeavor  to  preach  from  that  text.  Before  the  suc- 
ceeding Sabbath  he  was  taken  to  his  everlasting  rest  and  re- 
ward.' No  two  spirits  were  ever  more  congenial  than  those  of 
Nevins  and  Cookman,  and  during  the  delivery  of  his  discourse 
it  seemed  as  if  the  mantle  of  the  departed  Elijah  had  fallen 
upon  the  speaker ;  and,  with  thoughts  that  breathe  and  words 


76  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

that  burn,  he  illustrated  and  enforced  the  subject,  giving  full  ut- 
terance to  the  sentiments  of  his  departed  friend." 

In  the  spring  of  1840  Mr.  Cookman  was  appointed  to  the 
charge  of  the  Church  in  Alexandria  City,  D.  C.*  He  still  re- 
tained his  Chaplaincy,  and  regularly  fulfilled  its  duties  until  the 
expiration  of  the  Congress  of  the  fourth  of  March,  1841.  His 
pastorate  in  Alexandria  was  attended  with  all  the  marks  of  pub- 
lic favor  and  of  ministerial  usefulness  which  had  accompanied 
him  in  other  communities.  There  occurred  nothing  to  the 
father  to  which  any  special  significance  can  be  attached ;  but 
with  Alfred  it  was  quite  different.  He  had  seen  but  little  of 
slavery  since  he  lived  a  child  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Maryland. 
In  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  the  colored  race  was  free;  in 
Baltimore  the  free  blacks  were  more  numerous  than  the  slaves, 
and  this  was  true  also  of  Washington.  He  had  seen  few,  if  any, 
of  the  more  painful  aspects  of  the  institution ;  and  young  as  he 
was,  it  had  seemed  to  him  only  a  form  of  domestic  servitude,  re- 
lieved by  the  kind  relationships  often  subsisting  between  mas- 
ters and  slaves.  In  Alexandria  a  free  black  was  rather  an  ex- 
ception. If,  however,  he  had  seen  slavery  even  here  only  as  he 
had  been  accustomed  to  it,  there  is  no  likelihood  that  any  im- 
pression would  have  been  made  upon  his  mind  of  decided  aver- 
sion to  it. 

Near  his  father's  residence  was  one  of  those  painful  features 
of  the  domestic  slave-trade — a  slave-pen  or  jail — which  the  boy 
used  often  to  pass,  and  where  he  saw  poor  men,  women,  and 
children  confined  behind  iron  grates,  sometimes  manacled,  for 
no  other  crime  than  that  they  were  owned  as  property,  and 
could  be  sold  hither  and  thither  by  their  owners  at  pleasure. 
Alexandria  was  a  ddpot,  to  which  the  slaves  purchased  in  Ma- 
ryland and  the  District  of  Columbia  were  brought,  and  where 
they  were  lodged  before  being  sent  to  supply  the  cotton-grow- 
ing states.  Sometimes  at  the  very  doors  of  the  jail  would  hap- 
*  Alexandria  was  afterward  re-ceded  to  the  State  of  Virginia. 


PROPOSED   VISIT  TO    ENGLAND.  77 

pen  those  scenes  which  were  well  fitted  to  rend  a  stouter  heart 
than  that  of  our  sensitive  young  friend.  The  husband  would  be 
rudely  separated  from  the  wife,  and  parents  from  their  helpless 
children ;  and  these  poor  creatures,  with  all  the  instincts  of  hu- 
man nature,  strengthened  by  tender  associations,  would  vent 
their  sorrow  in  bitter  cries,  which  gathered  around  them  a  sympa- 
thizing crowd- — how  could  Alfred  look  on  without  emotion,  and 
without  forming  a  deep  hatred  to  laws  which  sanctioned  such 
occurrences  ?  Such  sights  were  enough  to  wound  the  heart  of  a 
boy  born  in  the  midst  of  slavery ;  how  could  they  do  otherwise 
than  curdle  the  blood  of  a  youth  born  of  English  parents,  on  free 
soil,  and  with  such  a  soul  as  Alfred  Cookman  possessed?  The 
iron  then  went  deep  into  his  heart,  and  forever  after  he  was  the 
enemy  of  slavery,  and  steadfastly  did  what  he  could  consistently 
to  abate  and  destroy  it.  This  is  the  only  scrap  of  Alfred's  edu- 
cation or  history  in  Alexandria  of  which  I  have  any  information. 
The  disaster  which  removed  Mr.  Cookman  from  the  scene  of 
his  usefulness  and  from  the  world  was  fast  approaching.  In  the 
spring  of  1841  he  determined  to  visit  England,  and  all  his  plans 
were  accordingly  made  to  sail  from  New  York  early  in  March. 
He  had  been  appointed  by  the  American  Bible  Society  a  fra- 
ternal delegate  to  represent  it  at  the  anniversary  of  the  British 
and  Foreign  Bible  Society  to  be  held  at  Exeter  Hall,  London, 
and  was  to  be  made  bearer  of  the  first  dispatches  to  the  British 
Government  from  the  incoming  Administration  of  General  Har- 
rison ;  his  main  object,  however,  in  going  over,  was  to  see  again 
his  venerable  father,  and  "to  drop  a  tear  on  the  grave  of  his 
mother."  It  was  fitting,  in  view  of  his  position  and  popularity, 
that  his  farewell  sermon  should  be  preached  in  the  Capitol.  He 
was  regarded  as  a  pastor  not  only  by  the  Alexandria  Church, 
but  by  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  and  large  numbers  of 
the  floating  and  unchurched  population.  A  well-nigh  romantic 
interest  centred  in  him.  The  spell  of  his  eloquence  and  the 
aroma  of  his  character  had  completely  fascinated  the  people. 


78  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Never  were  there  circumstances  attending  the  delivery  of 
a  sermon  more  fully  adapted  to  awaken  in  the  preacher  all 
his  capacity  of  thought  and  emotion,  or  to  render  it  more 
thrilling  and  abiding  in  the  minds  of  the  hearers.  Washington 
was  literally  thronged  with  strangers  from  all  parts  of  the  coun- 
try. General  Harrison  had  been  elected  President  by  an  over- 
whelming majority,  and  his  inauguration  was  about  to  take 
place  in  the  presence  of  crowds  the  like  of  which  for  numbers 
and  refinement  the  metropolis  of  the  nation  had  never  before 
seen.  Mr.  Cookman's  fame  was  now  commensurate  with  the 
American  public ;  though  no  politician,  he  was  known  to  be  in 
quiet  sympathy  with  the  dominant  party ;  his  piety  was  univer- 
sally conceded ;  his  oratorical  supremacy  none  disputed ;  ex- 
pectation was  on  tip-toe.  It  may  be  safely  affirmed  that  never 
had  sacred  orator  more  conditions  in  his  favor.  Added  to  all 
this  was  his  speedy  departure  for  a  foreign  land,  to  encounter 
the  perils  of  a  voyage  from  which  he  might  never  return — which 
consideration  helped  further  to  deepen  in  the  popular  heart  the 
sense  of  his  value,  and  to  intensify  in  his  own  heart  the  convic- 
tion of  his  religious  and  ministerial  responsibility.  But  he  rose 
with  the  occasion.  The  external  excitement  infected  him ;  the 
grandeur  of  his  spirit  never  before  attained  to  such  proportions, 
nor  shone  with  such  effective  light.  The  account  given  by  eye- 
witnesses can  best  convey  some  true  notion  of  the  man,  the 
hour,  and  the  place : 

"  The  session  of  Congress  was  about  to  close  upon  the  administration  of 
Mr.  Van  Burcn.  The  inauguration  of  General  Harrison  was  soon  to  take 
place.  Mr.  Cookman  had  all  his  arrangements  made  to  visit  England  on 
the  steamer  President.  The  first  dispatch  from  the  new  Administration  was 
to  be  confided  to  his  charge.  The  next  Sabbath  he  was  to  take  leave  of  the 
members  of  Congress  in  his  farewell  sermon.  The  day  came.  An  hour 
before  the  usual  time  the  crowd  was  seen  filling  the  pavement  of  the  ave- 
nue, and  passing  up  the  hill  to  Representative  Hall,  which  was  soon  filled 
to  overflowing,  and  hundreds,  unable  to  get  scats,  went  away  disappointed. 
I  obtained  a  seat  early  in  front  of  the  Clerk's  desk.  John  Quincy  Adams 


LAST   SERMON    IN   THE   CAPITOL.  79 

sat  in  the  Speaker's  chair,  facing  Mr.  Cookman.  The  whole  space  on  the 
rostrum  and  steps  was  filled  with  Senators  and  Representatives.  The  mo- 
ment had  come.  Mr.  Cookman,  evidently  much  affected,  kneeled  in  a  thrill- 
ing prayer,  and  rose  with  his  eyes  blinded  with  tears.  His  voice  faltered 
with  suppressed  emotion  as  he  gave  out  the  hymn, 

"  '  When  marshaled  on  the  mighty  plain, 
The  glittering  hosts  bestud  the  sky, 
One  star  alone  of  all  the  train 

Can  fix  the  sinner's  wandering  eye. 

"  '  Hark  !  hark  !  to  God  the  chorus  breaks, 

From  every  host,  from  every  gem  ; 
But  one  alone  the  Saviour  speaks, 
It  is  the  star  of  Bethlehem. 

" '  Once  on  the  raging  seas  I  rode, 

The  storm  was  loud,  the  night  was  dark — 
The  ocean  yawned,  and  rudely  blowed 
The  wind  that  tossed  my  foundering  bark." 

"  The  hymn  was  sung  by  Mr.  Cookman  alone.  I  can  yet,  in  imagination, 
hear  his  voice,  as  it  filled  the  large  hall,  and  the  last  sounds,  with  their  ech- 
oes, died  away  in  the  dome. 

"  'And  I  saw  a  great  white  throne,  and  him  that  sat  on  it,  from  whose  face 
the  earth  and  the  heaven  fled  away,  and  there  was  found  no  place  for  them. 

"  '  And  I  saw  the  dead,  small  and  great,  stand  before  God,  and  the  books 
were  opened :  and  another  book  was  opened,  which  is  the  book  of  life,  and 
the  dead  were  judged  out  of  those  things  which  were  written  in  the  books, 
according  to  their  works.' 

"  Mr.  Cookman  was  more  affected  when  he  gave  us  the  text  than  I  had 
ever  seen  him  before.  He  several  times  passed  his  handkerchief  over  his  eyes 
before  he  began.  The  first  sentences  are  fresh  in  my  recollection  :  '  When 
Massillon,  one  of  the  greatest  divines  that  France  ever  knew,  was  called  to 
preach  the  funeral  service  of  the  departed  king,  in  the  Cathedral,  at  Paris, 
before  the  reigning  king,  the  royal  family,  the  chambers,  and  the  grandees 
of  France,  he  took  with  him  to  the  sacred  desk  a  little  golden  urn,  contain- 
ing a  lock  of  hair  of  the  late  king.  The  immense  congregation  was  seated, 
and  the  silence  of  death  reigned.  Massillon  arose,  held  the  little  urn  in  his 
fingers,  his  hand  resting  upon  the  sacred  cushion.  All  eyes  were  intently 
fixed  upon  him.  Moments,  minutes  passed — Massillon  stood  motionless, 
pale  as  a  statue ;  the  feeling  became  intense ;  many  believed  he  was  struck 
dumb  before  the  august  assembly ;  many  sighed  and  groaned  aloud ;  many 


80  LIFE  OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

eyes  were  suffused  with  tears,  when  the  hand  of  Massillon  was  seen  slowly 
raising  the  little  golden  urn,  his  eyes  fixed  upon  the  king.  As  his  hand  re- 
turned again  to  the  cushion,  the  loud  and  solemn  voice  of  Massillon  was 
heard  in  every  part  of  the  Cathedral,  '  God  alone  is  great !'  So  I  say  to  you 
to-day,  my  beloved  hearers,  there  is  no  human  greatness — '  God  alone  is 
great  T 

"  The  subject  was  on  the  day  of  judgment.  I  had  heard  it  preached  be- 
fore many  times,  but  never  as  I  heard  it  then.  The  immense  congregation 
was  held  almost  breathless  with  the  most  beautiful  and  powerful  sermon  I 
ever  heard.  He  spoke  of  the  final  separation  on  the  great  day  of  judgment, 
and  fancied  the  anger  of  the  Lord  locking  the  door  that  led  to  the  bottom- 
less pit,  stepping  upon  the  ramparts,  letting  fall  the  key  into  the  abyss  be- 
low, and  dropping  the  last  tear  over  fallen  and  condemned  man.  He  closed 
— '  I  go  to  the  land  of  my  birth,  to  press  once  more  to  my  heart  my  aged 
father  and  drop  a  tear  on  the  grave  of  my  sainted  mother;  farewell! — fare- 
well !'  and  he  sank  down  overpowered  to  his  seat,  while  the  whole  congre- 
gation responded  with  sympathizing  tears." 

A  correspondent  of  the  National  Intelligencer,  describing  the 
same  scene,  after  quoting  Mr.  Cookman's  closing  words,  says : 
"  There  was  something  prophetic,  solemn,  and  deeply  affecting 
in  the  tones  and  manner  of  the  preacher.  *  *  *  All  who  had 
known  him,  or  who  had  listened  with  wrapt  attention  to  the  elo- 
quence which  gushed  from  his  lips,  touched  as  with  a  living 
coal  from  the  altar,  were  moved  to  tears,  and  seemed  to  feel  as 
if  they  were  taking  in  reality  a  last  farewell  of  one  who  had 
given  a  new  ardor  to  their  piety,  and  thrown  an  additional  in- 
terest into  the  sanctuary.  The  whole  scene  was  in  no  ordinary 
degree  grand,  imposing,  and  affecting.  The  magnificent  hall, 
a  fit  temple  for  the  worship  of  the  living  God ;  the  crowd  that 
had  assembled  to  hear  the  last  sermon  of  the  minister  whose 
eloquence  they  so  much  admired  ;  the  attitude  of  the  preacher, 
and  the  solemn  and  prophetic  farewell,  all  conspired  to  excite 
feelings  of  the  deepest  solemnity  and  of  the  most  intense  inter- 
est." 


CHAPTER  V. 

REV.  GEORGE   G.  COOKMAN    LOST  AT   SEA. — ALFRED'S   RAPID 
PROGRESS. 

MR.  COOKMAN  spent  a  few  weeks  about  Washington,  com- 
pleting his  arrangements  and  taking  leave  of  friends,  and  im- 
mediately after  the  first  dispatch  of  the  new  Administration  was 
prepared  by  Mr.  Webster  and  committed  to  him,  he  left  for  New 
York.  His  last  words  to  the  gentleman  so  freely  quoted  from 
were,  "  May  Heaven  bless  you,  Mr.  Smith ;  if  ever  I  return  you 
shall  see  me  in  the  West."  He  spent  Sunday,  7th  of  March,  in 
Philadelphia,  worshiping  with  and  taking  the  communion  at 
the  hands  of  his  friend,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Suddards,  rector  of  Grace 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  On  Monday  he  went  to  New 
York,  and  on  Tuesday  evening  preached  his  last  sermon  in  the 
Vestry  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  was  to 
become  the  pastor  after  his  return  from  England.  He  had  in- 
tended to  go  to  Boston  and  there  take  one  of  the  Cunard  steam- 
ers, but  at  the  solicitation  of  friends  changed  his  mind,  and 
embarked  on  the  steam-ship  President  at  New  York  on  the  nth, 
for  Liverpool.  He  left  amid  the  tears  and  congratulations  of 
friends.  Neither  the  vessel  nor  any  of  her  company  was  ever 
after  heard  from. 

Various  conjectures  were  given  at  the  time  as  to  the  ship's 
probable  fate,  the  most  likely  of  which  is  that,  as  a  violent 
storm  had  been  raging  for  days,  she  foundered  soon  after  get- 
ting to  sea.  Hopes  were  entertained  for  a  long  time  that  she 
might  be  safe  ;  or,  on  the  supposition  that  the  vessel  had  found- 
ered, or  had  been  burned,  or  had  been  crushed  by  icebergs,  it 
was  hoped  that  her  crew  and  passengers  had  been  rescued. 

D  2 


82  LIFE  .OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

As  the  time  arrived  when  tidings  were  due  from  the  steamer, 
and  no  word  came,  the  suspense  both  in  England  and  America 
became  intense  and  painful.  The  excitement  prevailed  among 
all  classes.  Steam-ship  navigation  was  then  comparatively  in 
its  infancy,  and  an  accident  to  a  steamer  very  naturally  awak- 
ened more  attention  than  now  when  fleets  of  them  are  plowing 
the  ocean.  The  fact  that  Mr.  Cookman  was  a  passenger  height- 
ened the  public  interest.  His  name  was  on  every  lip  ;  his  mer- 
its as  minister  and  orator,  his  worth  as  a  citizen,  his  loss  to  the 
Church  and  the  nation,  but  above  all  to  his  young  family,  were 
the  theme  of  general  conversation  and  newspaper  comment. 
At  length  all  hope  for  the  ship  and  her  passengers  died  out  of 
the  public  mind ;  but  not  so  in  the  heart  of  the  stricken  and 
devoted  wife — hope  lived  in  her  heart  many  days  after  it  had 
perished  in  the  hearts  of  all  others.  She  lived  months  and 
years  with  the  expectation  of  seeing  him  return.  The  house 
was  daily  and  nightly  arranged — his  chair  at  the  table  ready  to 
b.e  vacated,  and  all  else  adjusted  with  the  expectation  of  his 
coming  at  any  hour. 

Although  not  yet  an  accomplished  fact  with  Mrs.  Cookman,  it 
was  an  accomplished  fact  that  her  husband  had  perished  in  the 
great  waters.  That  "  vasty  deep"  which  he  so  loved,  and  from 
which  he  so  often  drew  for  choice  imagery  in  the  illustration  of 
truth,  and  in  the  use  of  which  he  was  almost  without  a  peer,  had 
become  his  grave.  "  He  has  discouraged  me,"  said  a  Senator, 
distinguished  for  his  eloquence,  "  in  the  use  of  my  happiest  fig- 
ures. There  is  such  a  richness,  beauty,  and  force  in  his  illustra- 
tions from  the  ocean,  so  far  surpassing  my  reach,  that  I  know  not 
that  I  shall  ever  again  attempt  to  use  them."  That  ocean  which 
he  had  several  times  crossed,  where  death  had  before  stared  him 
in  the  face,  all  whose  myriad  ways  in  storm  and  calm  had  become 
familiar  to  his  mind,  whose  endless  forms  and  colorings  he  had 
studied  with  an  artist's  eye  and  transferred  with  an  artist's  skill 
to  the  tables  of  memory,  in  solitary  communion  with  which  he 


SORROW  ON  THE  SEA — AND  ON  THE  LAND.       83 

had  had  so  many  thoughts  of  God  and  human  destiny,  so  many 
seasons  of  prayer,  praise,  and  aspiration,  in  whose  awful  silence 
and  restless  life  he  had  found  such  strange  sympathy  with  his 
own  nature,  from  which  he  had  in  all  these  respects  received 
so  much  for  his  own  enriching,  had  now  at  last  received  him. 
His  loss  pierced  thousands  of  loving  souls  with  acutest  sorrow. 

But  painful  as  was  his  death,  the  manner  of  it — sudden — in 
the  sea — involved  in  mystery — threw  around  his  end  a  tragic 
charm  which  well  comported  with  the  brilliancy  of  his  reputa- 
tion, and  which  served  to  deepen  and  extend  his  already  wide- 
spread influence.  In  the  prime  of  his  life,  at  the  height  of  his 
fame,  in  the  fullness  of  his  intellectual  powers,  and  in  the  ma- 
turity of  grace,  he  was  not,  for  God  took  him.  A  star  of  the 
first  order  was  suddenly  quenched.  But  another  star  was  to 
arise  in  due  time,  if  not  of  equal  splendor,  yet  certainly  of 
equal  clearness  and  steadiness  in  its  shining. 

I  could  fill  pages  with  the  public  and  private  testimonials  of 
the  grief  which  pervaded  all  classes  of  society,  and  all  circles 
of  pursuit  and  profession,  at  the  sad  death  of  this  eminent  and 
good  man.  It  would  be  pleasant  to  linger  over  these  tender 
and  discriminating  tributes  to  his  virtues,  his  services  to  the 
cause  of  Christ,  and  the  rare  eloquence  with  which  God  had  en- 
dowed him,  and  which  he  had  so  successfully  cultivated,  but  I 
am  admonished  by  the  limits  of  space  and  purpose  which  con- 
fine me,  and  the  demand  that  I  should  hasten  to  bring  forward 
into  greater  prominence  the  youth  whose  name  and  fame  so 
quickly  followed  in  the  wake  of  his  father's. 

Mr.  Cookman  wished  and  intended  to  take  Alfred  with  him 
to  England.  He  thought  it  would  be  gratifying  to  the  grand- 
father to  see  him ;  and  the  son  had  attained  an  age  at  which 
he  could  be  a  companion  to  his  father,  and  also  derive  much 
improvement  from  travel.  I  can  imagine  how  strong  the  pa- 
ternal instinct  was  in  him,  and  how  he  must  have  yearned  to 
have  his  first-born  accompany  him  in  so  long  an  absence  from 


84  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

home,  and  under  circumstances  so  suited  to  render  them  both 
entirely  happy.  There  is  nothing  upon  which  a  child  can  de- 
pend for  safety  more  than  this  same  paternal  instinct.  Ulysses 
was  consistent  in  his  feigned  madness — plowing  the  sea-shore 
with  a  horse  and  bull  yoked  together,  and  sowing  salt  instead 
of  grain — until  his  little  son  Telemachus  was  placed  in  the  way, 
when  his  deception  was  betrayed  by  his  showing  sufficient  fore- 
sight to  turn  away  the  plow  from  killing  the  child.  Mr.  Cook- 
man  could  not  but  feel  what  a  privation  it  would  be  to  his  wife 
to  have  Alfred  leave  her  for  so  long  a  time,  and  what  an  addi- 
tional affliction  it  would  be  should  neither  the  husband  nor  the 
son  be  permitted  to  return.  The  lad,  also,  was  of  sufficient  ma- 
turity in  years  and  character  to  be  of  great  assistance  to  the 
mother  in  her  care  of  the  younger  children.  And  so,  finally, 
Mr.  Cookman  yielded  his  preference,  and  it  was  left  to  the  boy 
himself  to  elect — to  go  with  his  father  or  to  stay  with  his  mother. 
It  is  difficult  to  see  how  any  thing  could  have  been  more  at- 
tractive to  a  youth  of  his  age,  tastes,  and  habits,  than  this  trip 
homeward  to  England  with  his  devoted  father.  He  had  heard 
the  old  country,  grandfather,  uncles,  aunts,  and  cousins  talked 
of,  till  his  boyish  fancy  reveled  in  the  thought  of  seeing  them 
and  their  beautiful  homes.  But  Alfred  Cookman  loved  his 
mother  as  few  boys  ever  did,  he  loved  his  brothers  and  sister 
as  few  elder  brothers  have  ever  done,  his  loyalty  to  duty  had 
already  become  a  passion,  and  his  decision  was  given  accord- 
ingly :  "  I  will  stay  with  mother,  and  help  her  take  care  of  the 
children."  These  words  give  the  key-note  of  his  character. 
They  not  only  preserved  his  life,  but  became  the  warp  across 
which  the  web  and  woof  of  that  life  were  woven  into  a  fabric  so 
strong  and  beautiful.  He  would  do  his  duty  first,  and  standing 
by  his  duty  brought  him  into  responsibilities  which,  under  the 
divine  blessing,  made  him  what  he  was — a  prince  among  God's 
spiritual  Israel.  The  father  then  had  to  go  alone.  He  went 
off  cheerfully.  Among  the  last  words  he  spoke  as  the  family 


THE   DESOLATE   FAMILY.  85 

sat  before  the  open  fire,  were  these :  "  Now,  boys,  if  your  father 
sinks  in  the  ocean,  his  soul  will  go  direct  to  God,  and  you  must 
meet  him  in  heaven." 

"  There  was  sorrow  on  the  sea."  There  was  sorrow  on  the 
land.  In  the  homestead  at  Kingston-upon-Hull,  an  aged  father 
was  bowed  with  grief;  in  many  Christian  houses,  where  the  im- 
age of  the  saintly  pastor  was  hung,  if  not  on  the  walls,  yet  in 
the  memories  of  grateful  hearts,  there  was  genuine  mourning ; 
but  in  the  circle  where  the  desolate  widow  gathered  her  father- 
less children  to  a  heart  from  which  the  warmth  and  light  had 
well-nigh  gone  out,  striving  in  vain  to  impart  to  them  a  comfort 
which  she  herself  did  not  feel,  who  can  depict  the  abyss  of  suf- 
fering into  which  this  lovely  family  was  thus  suddenly  plunged  ! 
Every  body  was  kind  to  them.  Friends  vied  with  each  other 
in  grateful  offices.  Warm  hearts  and  cheerful  homes  were 
opened  to  them.  But  the  very  universality  of  regret  and  affec- 
tion which  met  them  seemed  for  a  time  only  to  help  their  hearts 
to  compass  the  extent  of  their  bereavement.  What  must  be 
their  loss,  in  the  loss  of  him  whom  every  body  else,  even  the 
comparative  stranger,  so  missed  and  lamented !  The  bright- 
ness of  sympathy  often  casts  our  sorrows  into  a  darker  shadow. 

How  like  an  angel  of  light  Alfred  now  came  to  the  side  of  his 
mother !  He  restrained  his  own  grief,  and  always  appeared 
before  her  calm  and  cheerful.  With  the  utmost  delicacy  he 
watched  over  her,  anticipating  all  her  wants  with  a  foresight 
beyond  his  years,  and  exhibiting  for  her  most  hidden  feelings  a 
feminine  tenderness  of  which  she  scarcely  supposed  him  pos- 
sessed. Mrs.  Cookman,  from  reveling  in  the  brilliance  of  her 
husband's  fame  and  usefulness,  found  herself  all  at  once  in  such 
utter  darkness  that  her  mind  from  the  shock  sank  into  the 
deepest  gloom.  So  overwhelmed  was  she,  that  for  two  years 
she  did  not  recover  her  cheerfulness.  The  name  of  her  hus- 
band could  not  be  pronounced  in  her  presence  without  unnerv- 
ing her,  and  so  the  mention  of  the  father  was  studiously  avoid- 


86  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

ed  by  the  children.  All  the  while  Alfred  was  preserving  such 
a  composed  demeanor  in  the  presence  of  his  mother,  he  would 
lie  awake  nights  thinking  of  his  father.  It  was  some  distance 
from  the  quiet  home  in  which  the  family  were  entertained  to 
the  nearest  post-office,  and  as  he  often  went  for  the  mail,  his 
heart  would  sink  within  him  when  no  letter  came  from  father,  or 
from. any  one  giving  tidings  of  the  ill-fated  steamer.  "  How  I 
did  dread,"  he  said  in  after  years,  "  to  return  home,  and  meet 
my  dear  mother  without  a  letter  and  see  her  disappointment !" 
Thus  at  thirteen  years  of  age,  when  the  thought  of  play  is 
uppermost  with  most  boys,  was  our  young  friend  abruptly  forced 
by  the  providence  of  God  into  a  trying  and  important  relation 
to  the  family.  He  must  be  a  husband  as  well  as  son  to  his 
mother ;  he  must  be  father  as  well  as  eldest  brother  to  the  chil- 
dren. It  is  easy  to  conjecture,  but  impossible  to  know  what 
would  have  been  the  course  of  Alfred's  life,  what  the  influence 
upon  his  character,  what  different  impress  he  might  have  re- 
ceived, had  his  father  lived.  His  training  thus  far,  under  the 
joint  and  harmonious  direction  of  father  and  mother,  was  en- 
tirely judicious;  he  was  as  promising  as  the  parents  could  wish; 
and,  in  all  probability,  had  the  father  been  spared  to  guide  his 
studies  as  he  grew  to  manhood,  he  might,  in  some  respects, 
have  been  a  more  thoroughly  cultured  and  intellectually  a 
stronger  man.  What  God's  purpose  was  for  the  lad  it  is  not 
for  us  even  now  to  say ;  yet,  permitted  as  we  are  to  know  the 
facts  of  his  subsequent  career,  and  to  understand  the  distinct- 
ive nature  of  his  mission  as  it  afterward  unfolded,  I  must  cer- 
tainly regard  the  great  bereavement  he  sustained  in  the  loss  of 
his  father  as  the  crucial  point  of  his  history,  in  which  the  ele- 
ments of  character  hitherto  prominent  were  fixed,  and  also  the 
lines  of  action  which  afterward  distinguished  him  took  their 
rise.  Alfred  Cookman  was  endowed  from  a  child  with  a  genius 
for  religion.  His  anointing  was  that  of  a  spiritual  seer — to  see 
with  the  spirit  into  the  innermost  heart  of  spiritual  Christianity, 


A   SPIRITUAL   SEER.  87 

and  from  such  seeing  to  lead  men's  minds  into  depths  of  a 
vital  and  blessed  experience  of  the  things  of  God,  to  which 
mere  reason  and  even  ordinary  piety  has  no  access.  As  the 
poet,  by  an  endowment  which  transcends  cold  logic,  pierces  the 
core  of  things  and  opens  their  realities  to  the  untutored  mind — 
makes  the  blind  to  see,  the  deaf  to  hear,  and  the  dull  to  feel 
beauties  otherwise  hidden — so  he,  by  a  divine  gift  above  the 
processes  of  the  understanding,  was  to  know  the  truths  of  the 
great  Teacher,  pejceive  their  highest  religious  relations,  and  then 
to  stand  as  interpreter  of  God's  work  in  the  soul,  so  that  multi- 
tudes, blinded  by  the  dust  and  engrossed  with  the  cares  of  the 
world,  might  come  to  perceptions  and  attainments  to  which  but 
for  such  an  interpreter  they  must  forever  have  remained  ignorant. 

I  look  upon  this  great  trial,  therefore,  as  beginning  at  once 
the  special  work  of  which  he  was  to  be  a  pre-eminent  example 
and  instrument.  He  was  to  be  an  unworldly,  sacred  man, 
and  God  commenced  with  the  stroke  which  cut  him  away  from 
the  strongest  earthly  support  he  had.  Accustomed  hitherto 
to  lean  on  his  father — now  mother,  brothers,  sister,  all  lean  on 
him  j  and  he,  poor  boy,  has  none  to  lean  on  but  God !  Once 
again  he  was  "all  alone  with  Jesus."  He  had  been  taught  that 
God  is  the  only  sure  foundation  of  His  children,  and  now  he 
must  prove  it  for  himself  by  experience  or  perish.  He  did 
prove  it;  and  at  that  early  age  began  to  show  a  ripeness  of 
wisdom,  a  steadiness  of  purpose,  an  unselfishness,  a  goodness, 
faith,  courage,  which  were  far  beyond  his  years.  His  mother 
testifies  beautifully  to  his  conduct  at  this  period : 

"  He  was  only  thirteen  years  old  when  his  dear  father  left  us 
on  a  visit  to  his  native  land,  the  sequel  of  which  proved  so  dis- 
astrous to  a  large,  helpless  family  ;  but  which,  notwithstanding, 
brought  out  in  all  their  force  and  power  what  had  been  until 
now  the  germs  of  Alfred's  character.  He  realized  his  position 
as  the  oldest  of  six  children,  and  faithfully  tried  to  fill  up  the 
chasm  made  by  a  wise,  though  inscrutable  Providence.  Eter- 


88  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

nity  alone  will  unfold  all  he  was  to  his  family  as  a  son  and  as 
a  brother  in  the  years  of  his  minority." 

There  is  an  old  story  told  of  a  runaway  Indian  slave  in  Peru, 
who,  in  his  escape,  fleeing  up  the  mountains  from  his  pursuers, 
grasped  a  young  sapling,  and,  clinging  to  it,  tore  it  from  the 
ground — when  lo !  he  saw  adhering  to  its  roots  the  silver  glob- 
ules which  revealed  the  precious  metals  of  Potosi.  That  sap- 
ling was  never  planted  again.  It  might  have  become  the  great 
tree,  its  branches  a  roost  for  the  birds  of  the  air,  and  its  leaves 
a  shade  for  man  and  beast ;  but  in  its  destruction  the  untold 
wealth  of  Peru  had  been  discovered.  The  rude  hand  of  disap- 
pointment tore  from  Alfred  Cookman's  heart  the  support  of  a 
father's  love,  and  the  tender  leaves  and  flowers  of  hope  which 
clustered  around  it ;  but  in  doing  so  discovered  to  him  a  wealth 
of  love  far  richer  than  silver  and  gold.  His  hold  on  the  earthly 
father  was  broken,  but  his  hold  on  the  heavenly  Father  was 
made  firm  and  indissoluble.  In  the  wealth  he  gained,  and  the 
world  through  him,  who  shall  mourn  if  the  flowers,  which  might 
have  been  so  fair,  lie  withered  at  the  feet  of  his  youth  ? 

Soon  after  her  husband's  departure  fo,r  England,  Mrs.  Cook- 
man  had  gone,  by  invitation,  with  her  children  to  the  eastern 
shore  of  Maryland,  where  they  were  all  to  remain  the  guests  of 
Mr.  Samuel  Harrison,  until  the  husband's  return  in  June,  when 
they  were  to  remove  to  New  York  City.  Her  stay  was  pro- 
longed till  the  month  of  August.  Since  up  to  this  time  no  in- 
formation was  received  as  to  the  fate  of  Mr.  Cookman,  and  the 
prospect  of  his  return  was  well-nigh  abandoned,  she  began  to 
cast  about  for  the  best  thing  to  be  done  for  the  immediate  fut- 
ure. From  the  grandfather  and  kindred  in  England  the  most 
urgent  requests  were  received  that  she  should  at  once  take  her 
children  to  England.  Indeed,  they  wrote  as  though  there  could 
be  no  other  course  open  to  her.  They  were  well  able  to  pro- 
vide for  them,  and  her  pecuniary  means  were  exceedingly  limit- 
ed. Nothing  would  have  been  more  natural  than  for  Mrs. 


THE   FAMILY   SETTLES    IN   BALTIMORE.  89 

Cookman  to  accept  this  offer — alone  as  she  was  among  com- 
parative strangers,  with  no  relatives  near,  and  knowing,  as  she 
did,  that  the  resources  at  Hull  were  so  ample ;  but  she  decided 
not  to  go.  She  had  left  home  for  life ;  her  children  had  been 
born  in  America,  and  Americans  they  should  be  reared.  "  She 
would  take  two  small  rooms,  and  keep  them  all  together  around 
her,  rather  than  all  or  any  part  of  them  should  return  to  En- 
gland." Such  was  the  language  this  heroic  lady  held  to  her 
friends  across  the  water,  and  nothing  could  move  her  from  her 
purpose.  Mr.  John  Plaskitt,  an  Englishman  residing  in  Balti- 
more City,  and  long  known  as  the  head  of  the  firm  of  Plaskitt  & 
Armstrong,  booksellers  and  stationers,  a  prominent  Methodist, 
and  an  intimate  friend  of  the  husband,  with  other  gentlemen, 
rented  a  small  house  on  Mulberry  Street,  near  the  Eutaw  Street 
Methodist  Church;  and  to  it  the  family  removed  in  the  autumn. 

Mrs.  Cookman  and  Alfred  united  with  the  Eutaw  Street 
Church.  The  children  who  were  old  enough  were  entered  at  the 
Eutaw  Street  Sunday-school,  and  also  at  day  schools.  Alfred,  at 
different  times  for  the  next  few  years,  was  under  the  instruction 
of  Messrs.  Robert  H.  Pattison,  Perley  R.  Lovejoy,  and  John  H. 
Dashiell — all  recently  students  of  Dickinson  College — and  of  a 
Mr.  Burleigh.  At  Mr.  Burleigh's  school  on  one  occasion  he 
took  several  prizes — for  elocution,  an  essay  on  simplicity,  exer- 
cises in  Latin,  etc.  He  began  thus  early  to  attract  attention  as 
a  speaker  and  writer.  Mr.  Robert  Armstrong,  then  superin- 
tendent of  the  Eutaw  Street  Sunday-school,  noticed  his  apti- 
tude for  public  speaking,  and  was  accustomed  to  put  him  up  to 
address  the  boys'  department  of  the  school.  His  first  original 
declamation  was  on  the  American  Indian,  in  which  the  richness 
of  his  fancy  and  the  force  and  gracefulness  of  his  elocution  were 
already  apparent. 

The  following  letter  from  the  grandfather  shows  the  truly 
parental  solicitude  with  which  he  regarded  the  widow  and  the 
children  of  his  late  son ;  and  the  reply  from  Alfred  affords  us 


QO  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

an  example  of  his  dutifulness,  and  some  account  of  his  doings 
and  progress. 

From  Mr.  George  Cookman,  of  Hull,  to  Alfred,  his  grandson : 

"  HULL,  April  5,  1842. 

"  MY  DEAR  ALFRED, — I  received  three  days  ago  the  letter  of  your  dear 
mother,  sent  off  in  February,  and  had  a  fearful  presentiment  of  her  recent 
affliction,  as  her  letter  of  the  27th  of  December  never  came  to  hand.  I  am, 
however,  very  thankful  that  she  is  so  much  recovered ;  and  I  trust,  as  the 
spring  advances,  she  will  regain  her  wonted  health.  I  am  quite  as  well  as  I 
can  expect  to  be  at  my  advanced  age,  and  feel  a  most  lively  interest  in  the 
comfort  and  happiness  of  your  dear  family.  I  look  to  you,  my  dear  Alfred, 
as  an  important  coadjutor  with  your  dear  mother  in  forming  the  habits  and 
character  of  your  family ;  and  it  gives  me  inexpressible  pleasure  to  learn, 
from  your  dear  mother's  letter,  that  there  is  every  reason  to  hope  that  my 
expectations  in  this  respect  will  be  fully  realized.  Rest  assured  that  you  will 
be  looked  up  to  by  the  younger  branches  of  the  family,  and  in  setting  them 
a  good  example — in  cheerfully  obliging  your  dear  mother,  in  promptly  and 
affectionately  obeying  her  commands,  and  in  sympathizing  with  her  under 
"the  pressure  of  family  trials  and  bereavements — you  will  greatly  lighten  her 
burdens,  alleviate  her  sufferings,  and  minister,  in  no  inconsiderable  degree, 
to  her  peace,  comfort,  and  happiness. 

"  I  hope  you  pay  unremitting  attention  to  yqur  education.  Your  dear 
father,  when  about  your  age,  was  very  attentive  and  diligent  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  his  mind ;  he  read  much,  and  kept  a  commonplace-book,  into  which 
he  copied  from  the  authors  which  he  read  such  passages  as  he  thought  the 
most  striking,  either  as  to  sentiment  or  language ;  and  by  adopting  this 
plan  he  very  much  improved  his  style  in  composition  and  his  taste.  He  also 
began  at  the  same  time  to  write  short  essays  on  different  subjects,  as  trials 
of  his  intellectual  strength ;  and  resolutely  struggled  with  and  overcame 
those  difficulties  which,  if  not  mastered,  are  often  fatal  to  mental  improve- 
ment. It  was  by  his  unremitting  perseverance  in  these  pursuits  that  he 
formed  his  graceful  and  chaste  style  of  composition,  and  which  in  after-life 
enabled  him  to  write  with  such  facility  and  dispatch. 

"Allow  me,  my  dear  grandson,  to  urge  you  to  follow  the  example  of  your 
dear  departed  father  in  the  cultivation  of  your  mind  at  this  period  of  your 
life,  for  your  future  acquirements  will  very  much  depend  upon  an  early  de- 
velopment of  your  mental  faculties.  It  was  by  adopting  this  course  that 
your  dear  uncle  Alfred  became  so  distinguished,  both  at  home  among  his 
friends,  as  well  as  when  he  was  a  student  at  the  University.  I  trust  their 


DUTIFUL   SENTIMENTS.  91 

mantle  will  fall  upon  you,  my  dear  boy,  and  that  you  will  emulate  their  tal- 
ents and  virtues — and  like  them  secure  the  respect  and  admiration  of  your 
friends,  and  largely  contribute  to  the  happiness  of  mankind.  I  am  glad  to 
find  that  the  portrait  of  your  dear  father  is,  upon  the  whole,  as  good  as  could 
be  expected  under  all  the  circumstances  in  which  we  were  placed ;  we  did 
our  best  to  get  it  as  faithful  and  correct  a  likeness  as  we  possibly  could ;  and 
many  of  his  friends  here,  judging  of  him  by  what  he  was  when  he  left  En- 
gland, think  it  a  striking  likeness.  We  should,  however,  have  been  better 
pleased  if  the  portrait  had  been  more  perfect.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Suddards 
dined  with  me  on  the  3ist  of  March,  and  has  been  most  obligingly  kind  in 
giving  us  every  important  information  in  his  power,  both  with  regard  to  your 
dear  father,  and  all  the  members  of  your  dear  family.  I  feel  under  great 
obligations  to  him  for  the  sympathy  and  affectionate  regard  which  he  has  so 
uniformly  and  generously  manifested,  both  to  the  memory  of  my  late  dear 
son  and  also  to  his  family.  I  owe  him  a  debt  of  gratitude  which  I  can  never 
pay — but  our  good  Lord,  I  trust,  will  reward  him  a  hundred-fold  for  his 
work  of  faith  and  labor  of  love  in  behalf  of  our  family. 

"  You  will  please  to  give  my  kind  love  to  your  dear  mother,  to  George, 
and  all  the  younger  branches  of  your  family ;  give  dear  little  Mary  a  kiss  for 
her  grandfather." 

From  Alfred  to  his  grandfather  : 

"  BALTIMORE,  August  27, 1842. 

"MY  DEAR  GRANDFATHER,  —  Your  letter  has  remained  unanswered 
longer  than  I  had  intended  when  it  was  first  received.  The  reason  why  I 
did  not  answer  it  sooner  was  because  I  was  very  much  engaged  with  my 
school  duties,  and  during  my  vacation,  when  I  might  have  written,  I  was  in 
Washington.  I  hope  you  will  excuse  me. 

"  Mother  has  been  improving  in  her  health  since  last  March.  She  has 
not  been  as  well  as  usual  for  two  weeks  past.  She  is  quite  a  miracle  to  her- 
self and  to  all  her  friends,  to  be  able  to  do  what  she  does,  considering  how 
feeble  she  was.  The  warm  weather  always  agrees  better  with  her  than  the 
cold. 

"I  thank  you  for  the  kind  advice  which  you  give  me  in  your  letter. 
Rest  assured,  my  dear  grandfather,  that  it  shall  always  be  my  first  aim  to 
comply  with  the  wishes  of  dear  mother,  and  in  every  way  in  my  power  to 
make  her  happy,  for  I  deeply  appreciate  the  obligations  I  am  under  to  her : 
in  sickness  and  health,  she  is  always  the  same  tender,  kind,  and  affectionate 
mother.  I  am  very  much  pleased  with  the  plan  you  gave  me  of  my  dear 
father's  method  of  improvement  I  shall  try  to  pursue  it,  but  with  how 
much  success  I  know  not.  I  have  been  in  the  habit  of  writing  short  essays 


Q2  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

on  different  subjects,  and  have  found  it  very  improving.  I  have  been  spend- 
ing my  vacation  in  Washington,  and  had  an  opportunity  of  attending  the  de- 
bates of  Congress.  I  also  attended  a  camp-meeting  about  sixteen  miles 
from  Washington.  There  were  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  tents  on  the 
ground,  and  about  one  hundred  persons  professed  to  be  converted.  We 
had  a  delightful  time.  I  enjoyed  myself  very  much. 

"  The  treaty  with  Lord  Ashburton  has  been  amicably  settled,  and  the 
people  generally  seem  pleased.  I  got  a  sight  of  him  one  day  in  his  carriage. 

"  I  am  connected  here  with  the  Sabbath-school.  I  have  a  class  of  eight 
small  boys,  whom  I  take  a  great  delight  in  teaching.  I  am  also  connected 
with  the  McKendrean  Juvenile  Missionary  Society,  who  have  appointed  me 
secretary.  I  am  also  secretary  of  the  Asbury  Juvenile  Temperance  Society 
of  Baltimore.  So  you  see  I  have  plenty  to  do. 

"  The  temperance  cause  is  making  rapid  strides  in  this  city  and  elsewhere. 
The  Hon.  T.  F.  Marshall,  who  is  a  reformed  drunkard,  has  become  one  of 
its  most  powerful  advocates.  He  is  a  man  of  fine  talents,  and  excels  as  a 
public  speaker.  My  brothers  are  all  well.  I  wish,  my  dear  grandfather, 
we  could  all  see  you  and  you  could  see  us,  and  give  us  your  valuable  advice 
in  person.  We  often  look  at  your  likeness  hanging  on  the  wall,  and  try  to 
bring  you  before  us.  I  hope  you  will  continue  your  correspondence  with  me 
occasionally,  and  suggest  plans  that  I  may  profit  by.  I  resume  my  school 
duties  to-morrow,  for  which  I  am  very  glad.  I  shall  try  to  make  the  best 
of  my  time  now,  for  I  suppose  I  shall  soon  have  to  turn  my  attention  to 
business.  Mother  says  the  next  year  will  probably  be  my  last  for  regular 
study.  *  *  * 

Here  also  are  letters  of  a  year  later  from  George,  and  Al- 
fred to  their  grandfather.  They  were  written  on  one  sheet  of 
paper,  and  already  exhibit  the  dawn  of  that  loving  brotherhood 
which  grew  with  their  growth  in  maturer  years.  Pretty  plucky 
American  boys,  to  write  thus  of  Independence  day  to  their  En- 
glish sire  !  Like  many  others,  our  young  orator  began  fairly 
to  fledge  on  the  Fourth  of  July. 

From  George  to  his  grandfather : 

"BALTIMORE,  July  27,  1843. 

"  Mv  DEAR  GRANDFATHER, — I  have  for  some  time  past  been  wondering 
how  I  could  make  a  letter  interesting  to  you,  and  now  I  think  I  have  suc- 
ceeded in  gaining  my  object  In  the  first  place,  I  wish  to  tell  you  how  we 
spent  the  4th  of  July,  the  anniversary  of  our  country's  independence.  The 


THE   FOURTH   OF   JULY   ORATOR.  93 

Sunday-school  to  which  we  belong  assembled  about  7  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  started  from  the  school-house.  We  arrived  at  the  place  of  desti- 
nation about  8  o'clock.  It  was  a  beautiful  grove,  about  a  mile  from  the 
city.  Our  exercises  commenced  with  singing  and  prayer,  after  which  the 
children  played  for  about  an  hour.  We  then  again  met  at  the  stand,  and, 
after  singing  and  prayer,  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  read.  Al- 
fred, who  was  the  orator  of  the  day,  rose  and  spoke  an  original  oration. 
There  were  several  addresses  and  dialogues  by  the  boys.  We  had  a  plen- 
tiful repast,  and  about  4  o'clock  returned  to  the  city,  highly  delighted  by  the 
exercises  of  the  day.  Alfred  gave  us  some  very  good  advice  on  patriotism, 
temperance,  and  duty  to  parents,  and  various  other  subjects.  He  was  highly 
applauded  for  his  youthful  effort.  At  an  exhibition  of  his  school  about  a 
week  ago,  six  judges  awarded  him  the  first  prize  for  declamation.  Our  school 
broke  up  last  Friday  for  the  August  holidays.  I  expect  to  start  for  the 
country  in  a  day  or  two,  where  I  hope  to  have  a  fine  time  in  the  various 
amusements  of  the  country.  I  wish  mother  would  move  in  the  country 
rather  than  live  in  a  crowded  city. 

"  Your  affectionate  grandson, 

"GEORGE  COOKMAN." 

From  Alfred  to  his  grandfather : 

"BALTIMORE,  July  27,  1843. 

"  MY  DEAR  GRANDFATHER, — At  the  request  of  dear  mother,  I  purpose 
writing  you  a  short  letter  on  matters  and  things  in  general.  For  the  last 
month  I  have  had  my  time  very  much  occupied  in  writing,  committing,  and 
delivering  speeches,  which  I  do  assure  you  is  no  very  easy  task.  On  the 
4th  of  July  last,  at  the  request  of  the  teachers  of  the  Eutaw  Sabbath- 
school,  I  assembled  with  them  in  a  most  delightful  grove,  for  the  purpose 
of  addressing  them  on  the  very  interesting  theme  of  the  emancipation  of  our 
beloved  America  from  the  weight  of  British  laws  and  British  subjection — of 
the  glorious  4th  of  July,  1776,  when  we  declared  ourselves  a  free  and  inde- 
pendent people,  and  to  which  day  every  true  American  ought  to  recur  with 
feelings  of  veneration  and  patriotism.  After  numerous  addresses  and  a 
plentiful  repast,  the  children  repaired  to  their  respective  homes  highly  de- 
lighted ;  and  their  only  complaint  was  that  the  4th  of  July  did  not  come 
often  enough  for  them.  During  the  past  year  I  have  been  going  to  a  Mr. 
Burleigh's  school,  and  have  devoted  almost  all  my  time  to  the  study  of  the 
ancient  and  modern  languages.  I  think  that  the  last  year  has  added  very- 
much  to  my  stock  of  information  on  various  subjects.  On  the  2oth  of  July 
Mr.  Burleigh  had  an  exhibition.  About  twenty-three  of  his  scholars  took 
part  in  the  exercises ;  eight  of  that  number  had  original  speeches.  I  chose, 


94  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

as  the  subject  of  my  remarks,  "  Simplicity."  I  also  delivered  a  short  speech 
in  French.  After  the  speaking  was  over,  the  premiums  were  awarded  to 
those  deserving  of  them  in  the  different  classes.  I  received  a  handsome 
silver  goblet,  a  small  but  neat  silver  cup,  and  two  most  interesting  books. 
Our  audience  consisted  of  about  fourteen  hundred  persons,  who  left  the  hall 
extremely  gratified  with  the  exercises.  About  three  months  ago  a  number 
of  moral  and  intellectual  youths  formed  themselves  into  a  society  for  the 
purpose  of  self-improvement.  Myself  and  George  have  the  honor  to  be  of 
the  number.  We  meet  every  Friday  evening.  Our  exercises  consist  of 
composition,  declamation,  and  debate.  Already  do  I  find  the  good  that  ac- 
crues to  me  from  being  connected  with  this  association ;  the  misty  clouds 
of  ignorance  which  before  gathered  around  me  are  beginning  to  disperse 
before  the  genial  rays  of  the  sun  of  science,  and  I  trust  before  long  to  walk 
in  the  broad  daylight  of  learning  and  intelligence.  The  influenza  is  raging 
to  a  very  great  extent  in  the  city.  Scarcely  can  you  enter  a  house  but  some 
of  the  inmates  are  not  suffering  with  it.  *  *  *  We  are  very  anxious  for 
mother  to  move  into  the  country  a  short  distance,  say  one  and  a  half  or 
two  miles.  We  see  every  day  more  and  more  the  demoralizing  influence  of 
crowded  cities  in  bringing  up  youth,  and  particularly  so  in  Baltimore.  I 
have  not  been  in  any  city  or  town,  nor  do  I  believe  there  is  any,  where  the 
youth  are  so  depraved  in  their  character  and  vicious  in  their  habits  as  in 
Baltimore.  *  *  *  But  I  am  getting  beyond  my  bounds.  Tell  cousin  George 
R.  I  should  be  glad  to  hear  from  him." 

I  have  before  me  a  copy  of  the  Fourth  of  July  oration.  It  is 
creditable  alike  to  the  head  and  the  heart  of  its  youthful  author. 
It  is  well  conceived  and  well  expressed,  showing  the  elevation 
of  thought  and  principle,  the  patriotic  and  religious  fire  which 
thus  early  animated  him.  In  the  same  composition-book,  in 
his  neat  handwriting,  are  translations  from  the  Greek  and  Latin, 
and  original  essays,  which  give  evidence  of  a  vigorous  intellect 
already  well  advanced  in  culture. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

ALFRED,  THE   CHRISTIAN   WORKER. ESSAYS   AT   PREACHING. 

HARMONIOUSLY  with  his  intellectual  progress,  Alfred's  moral 
and  spiritual  character  was  also  growing.  Mrs.  Cookman,  to 
satisfy  her  own  yearnings  for  usefulness,  to  gratify  the  inces- 
sant demands  for  her  counsel  and  society,  and  to  obtain  relief 
for  her  mind  by  activity,  was  much  from  home.  She  literally 
went  about  doing  good — visiting  the  sick,  needy,  and  penitent, 
attending  social  and  religious  meetings ;  and  thus  her  heart 
was  diverted,  in  a  measure,  from  her  great  sorrow,  and  she  was 
able  to  maintain  a  degree  of  health  and  cheerfulness.  All  this 
while  Alfred  was  a  keeper  at  home.  He  would  urge  her  out, 
and  volunteer  to  remain  and  take  care  of  the  children.  Of  an 
evening  he  could  be  seen,  with  his  little  brothers  surrounding  a 
large  table,  superintending  their  studies,  helping  them  forward 
in  their  next  day's  tasks.  Oftentimes  the  mother  would  return 
home  weary,  and  she  would  say,  "Come,  children,  we  must  have 
prayers  before  we  go  to  bed ;"  and  the  quick  response  would 
be,  "  Mother,  we  have  had  prayers ;  Alfred  has  held  prayers 
with  us."  At  this  age  he  showed  habits  of  system  and  neat- 
ness which  always  followed  him.  His  little  room  was  a  pink 
of  tidiness  ;  his  bed,  his  books,  his  table,  his  clothes,  all  were 
kept  in  the  nicest  order,  and  he  punctually  observed  the  hours 
of  coming  and  going  assigned  him  by  his  mother.  Could  a 
better  testimony  be  given  to  a  son  than  the  following  from  the 
pen  of  his  mother  ? 

"There  are  very  few  who  could  fully  estimate  the  love  and 
sympathy  of  such  a  mere  youth  as  Alfred  was  when  I  was  left 


96  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

without  the  strong  arm  I  had  been  accustomed  to  lean  upon. 
He  turned  at  once  into  the  path  of  a  wise  and  steady  coun- 
selor, both  to  myself  as  well  as  to  his  brothers.  He  tried  to 
share  every  burden  and  supply  every  loss  which  an  apparent 
adverse  Providence  had  laid  upon  us.  In  the  deep  anguish  of 
a  stricken  heart,  he  would  say, '  Dear  mother,  let  the  event  be 
as  it  may,  it  is  all  right,  and  will  turn  out  for  the  best;  our 
heavenly  Father  disposes  of  all  events,  and  He  can  not  err  in 
any  of  His  dealings  with  His  children.'  Alfred  did  almost  ex- 
clusively direct  and  control  the  studies  of  his  brothers,  unite 
with  them  in  their  various  pursuits,  and  guard  them  from  influ- 
ences that  might  have  been  prejudicial  but  for  his  timely  warn- 
ings ;  and  yet  there  was  no  austerity  in  his  admonitions ;  a 
spirit  of  consideration  and  kindness  ever  marked  his  efforts. 
He  was  remarkably  constant  in  the  path  of  obedience  both  to- 
ward God  and  in  his  Church  relations.  His  class-meeting  was 
never  neglected.  His  attendance  at  the  Sabbath-school,  first  as 
a  scholar  and  then  as  a  teacher,  was  constant ;  and  so  marked 
was  his  conduct  as  to  induce  the  superintendent  to  request  him 
to  address  his  youthful  companions  on  the  importance  of  yield- 
ing their  hearts  to  the  blessed  Saviour,  and  this  before  he  was 
fifteen  years  of  age." 

Although  he  was  naturally  thoughtful,  and  the  care  prema- 
turely devolved  upon  him  tended  to  sadden  his  spirits,  it  must 
not  be  inferred  that  he  was  at  all  gloomy  or  despondent.  On 
the  contrary,  he  was  one  of  the  liveliest  of  boys,  full  of  fun  and 
cheerful  gayety;  he  was  always  ready  for  a  gambol  with  his 
brothers  and  his  neighbors.  He  was  a  great  favorite  with  his 
young  companions.  Known  to  be  a  ready  writer,  nothing  was 
more  common  than  for  all  the  girls  around  to  wish  him  to  write 
their  valentines. 

The  first  public  religious  exercise  which  Alfred  conducted 
was  "  to  lead  a  class-meeting,"  when  about  sixteen  years  of  age. 
A  Mr.  Childs  had  requested  him  to  lead  his  class.  The  class 


CHARLES   STREET   METHODIST   EPISCOPAL   CHURCH.          97 

met  in  a  private  house.  The  mother,  in  her  great  desire  to 
hear  him  conduct  it  without  embarrassing  him  by  her  presence, 
concealed  herself  behind  a  side  stair-way,  and  so  listened  to  all 
the  exercises.  His  opening  hymn,  which  he  read  and  sang, 

aS'  "Talk  with  us,  Lord." 

After  a  struggle  of  two  years,  Mrs.  Cookman  received  the 
blessing  of  the  perfect  love  of  God,  which  removed  her  de- 
spondency and  restored  her  former  cheerfulness.  While  com- 
muning at  Eutaw  Street  Church,  the  Holy  Spirit  applied  Christ's 
words,  "  His  blood  was  shed  for  thee,"  with  such  force  and 
sweetness  as  to  fill  her  soul  with  peace,  and  to  give  her  com- 
plete victory  over  all  her  fears.  Henceforth  she  walked  in  the 
light  of  the  Lord.  This  occurrence  was  very  important,  not 
only  for  herself,  but  also  for  the  active  work  she  was  doing  in 
the  churches,  and  most  of  all  for  the  duties  which  she  owed  to  her 
family.  In  1844  the  new  and  beautiful  Charles  Street  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  was  dedicated.  The  trustees  cordially  offered 
Mrs.  Cookman  a  pew,  and  the  family  found  a  warm  welcome  in 
the  bosom  of  this  young  Church,  under  the  pastoral  care  of 
the  Rev.  Edwin  Dorsey,  M.D.  To  be  more  convenient  to  the 
church,  they  removed  to  a  house  on  Lexington  Street.  In  the 
associations  here  Alfred's  activity  rapidly  developed.  His  tal- 
ents and  piety  were  soon  recognized,  and  he  found  every  en- 
couragement to  their  exercise. 

Early  in  this  year  Alfred  and  George  received  a  letter  from 
their  grandfather.  It  is  so  good  that  I  can  not  refrain  from  in- 
serting it  entire. 

From  the  grandfather  Cookman  to  Alfred  and  George : 

"  HULL,  STEPNEY  LODGE,  January  27, 1844. 

"Mv  DEAR  ALFRED  AND  GEORGE, — I  received  with  more  than  ordinary 
pleasure  your  letters  of  the  27th  of  July,  and  in  reading  them  I  could  scarce- 
ly persuade  myself  but  that  time,  by  some  mysterious  revolution,  had  thrown 
back  my  life  for  at  least  five-and-twenty  years,  and  that  I  was  again  read- 

E 


98  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

ing  the  pleasing  letters  of  dear  Alfred  and  George,  my  beloved  sons.  But, 
alas  !  the  spell  was  soon  broken  by  the  painful  recollections  of  the  past.  I 
am,  however,  delighted  with  your  letters.  The  handwriting  is  very  good ; 
the  composition,  for  your  ages,  is  of  a  superior  order ;  and,  if  you  continue 
to  prosecute  your  studies  and  exercises  with  unremitting  perseverance,  I 
have  no  doubt  but  you  will,  in  your  day,  be  the  fac-similes  of  those  whose 
endearing  names  you  bear.  *  *  *  Let  me  entreat  you,  my  dear  grandchil- 
dren, to  minister  in  every  way  in  your  power  to  the  tranquillity,  comfort, 
and  happiness  of  a  mother  whose  maternal  care  and  solicitude  for  the  wel- 
fare of  her  family  have  been  as  unremitting  as  her  love  has  been  pure  and 
ardent.  I  was  delighted  to  hear  of  your  attainments  as  scholars,  and  of  the 
very  handsome  manner  in  which  your  exercises  were  received  by  the  audi- 
ence at  your  public  exhibition.  You  have,  by  these  successful  efforts,  se- 
cured a  prominent  position  in  the  estimation  of  the  public;  and  if  you  should 
conclude  from  this  circumstance  that  you  may  now  relax  your  efforts  in  the 
prosecution  of  your  studies,  this  elevation  will  be  but  the  precursor  of  your 
fall.  It  is  not  enough  to  be  considered  the  first  among  boys :  you  must 
look  forward  and  aspire  to  be  the  first  among  your  citizens.  But  this  can 
not  be  attained  but  by  unremitting  industry.  Decision  of  character  is  there- 
fore indispensable  in  all  important  undertakings,  and  I  have  no  doubt  of 
your  ultimate  success  if  you  are  determined  to  excel.  You  are,  I  hope,  pro- 
ceeding with  your  learning  in  a  systematic  and  methodical  order,  and  mak- 
ing yourselves  thoroughly  masters  of  one  branch  of  science  before  you  enter 
upon  another.  This  is  indispensable,  as  this  is  the  basis  of  all  after-im- 
provements in  learning. 

"  I  am  glad  to  find  that  you  have  become  members  of  a  literary  society, 
and  have  no  doubt  but  it  will  be  of  great  service  to  you.  Your  dear  father 
and  uncle  had  the  same  privilege,  and  they  often  surprised  me  by  the  papers 
they  produced  and  the  speeches  they  delivered  on  the  questions  discussed 
at  their  weekly  meetings.  Mixing  with  members  of  superior  acquiremenfs, 
they  obtained  a  great  increase  of  knowledge,  and  also  obtained  an  easy  and 
graceful  mode  of  public  speaking.  There  is,  however,  some  danger  growing 
out  of  these  institutions,  against  which  I  would  most  urgently  caution  you. 
The  questions  for  discussion  have  seldom  any  connection  with  each  other, 
and  this  necessarily  induces  a  desultory  and  careless  course  of  reading  and 
of  thought.  Now  the  danger  to  be  apprehended  is  this:  that  you  will  seek 
applause  in  the  forum  rather  than  in  the  academy,  and  fall  into  a  dislike  of 
the  study  of  those  dryer  branches  of  learning  which  require  greater  mental 
application  and  labor,  and  the  mastery  of  which  is  essential  to  your  becom- 
ing proficients  in  sound  learning.  Above  all  things  of  this  life,  seek  first 


A   POLITICAL   CANVASS.  <\        99 

the  kingdom  of  God  and  His  righteousness,  and  leave  the  rest  to  the  good 
pleasure  of  your  Heavenly  Father."  *  *  * 

From  Alfred  to  his  grandfather  Cookman  : 

"  BALTIMORE,  March  22, 1845. 

"  MY  DEAR  GRANDFATHER, — This  day's  mail  has  brought  to  hand  a  let- 
ter from  Aunt  Mary  Ann,  which  has  been  the  first  to  break  the  long-con- 
tinued silence  which  has  reigned  for  some  months.  In  the  perusal  of  her 
letter  we  were  not  a  little  gratified  to  learn  that  you  still  enjoy  your  accus- 
tomed health,  and  are  able  to  attend  to  all  the  concerns  of  domestic  life. 
Believing  that  it  would  afford  you  pleasure  to  hear  from  us,  I  have  sat  down 
and  will  write  a  few  lines  on  what  we  would  call  the  leading  topics  of  the 
day. 

"  Well,  in  what  condition  are  we  as  a  country  ?  What  have  we  done, 
and  what  are  we  doing  ?  I  think  we  may  with  propriety  be  compared  to 
the  ocean :  we  have  had  the  storm,  and  now  the  calm  is  beginning  to  suc- 
ceed. For  the  last  few  months  we  have  as  a  nation  been  torn  with  party 
strife,  for  from  the  tiny  school-boy  as  well  as  the  gray-headed  old  man  have 
been  heard  sentiments,  together  with  enthusiastic  shouts,  in  honor  of  some 
favorite  partisan.  Meetings  have  been  held  frequently  at  which  vast  con- 
courses of  people  have  assembled,  and  where  the  talent  of  the  country  have 
been  present  to  display  their  forensic  powers.  However,  although  I  am  fa- 
vorable to  party  spirit  where  it  can  be  kept  within  bounds,  believing  that  it 
tends  to  keep  alive  a  spirit  of  inquiry  in  the  minds  of  the  people  in  regard 
to  those  subjects  connected  with  their  country's  welfare,  yet  when  it  reaches 
the  height  which  it  has  here,  and  is  productive  of  the  same  direful  results, 
I,  for  one,  would  say,  '  Subdue,  and  silence  it.'  It  has  been  prostituted  to 
the  worst  purposes.  Men  who  have  stood  in  our  council-chambers,  ever 
ready  to  second  any  effort  that  would  conduce  to  the  prosperity  of  the  na- 
tion, and  who,  in  very  many  instances,  have  been  the  originators  of  noble 
and  useful  measures,  have  had  their  characters  defamed  and  their  spotless 
reputations  sullied  and  disgraced.  But  the  evils  of  party  spirit  have  not 
ended  here.  There  has  been  the  greatest  amount  of  betting :  thousands 
have  been  swallowed  up  in  this  greedy  vortex,  and,  among  a  certain  class 
of  our  citizens,  that  man  who  would  bet  the  greatest  amount  has  been  con- 
sidered a  noble-hearted,  generous  fellow.  At  the  large  meetings  of  which 
I  have  spoken  liquor  has  been  used,  occasioning  drunkenness  and  riot.  All 
these  evils  combined  have  presented  to  the  virtuous  and  patriotic  mind  a 
sad  and  mournful  picture. 

"  But  the  contest  is  over ;  the  combatants  have  withdrawn  from  the  field 
of  party  strife,  and  the  champion  of  the  victorious  party  has  been  awarded 


100     '  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

the  title  of  the  President  of  the  United  States.  All  the  various  portions  of 
society  are  beginning  to  turn  their  attention  again  to  their  daily  avocations, 
and  are  bending  all  the  energies  of  their  minds  toward  amassing  money  or 
something  else. 

"  The  main  question  which  now  agitates  our  country  is  the  subject  of 
slavery.  Not  content  with  harassing  us  in  our  civil  institutions,  it  has  en- 
tered the  borders  of  our  Zion,  and  will,  in  all  probability,  effect  a  division. 
At  our  late  session  of  Congress  it  was  decreed  to  annex  Texas  to  our  Union. 
This,  lying  to  the  south  of  our  Republic,  and  being  itself  a  slave  country, 
will  be  connected  with  Southern  interests,  who  (the  South)  may  insist  on 
measures  which  may  prove  detrimental  to  the  North,  who,  in  turn,  retali- 
ating, may  bring  on  that  most-to-be-dreaded  of  all  evils — civil  war.  Oh, 
grandfather,  I  regard  the  measure  of  Congress,  in  this  point  of  view,  as  high- 
ly reprehensible.  I  believe  that  it  will  cast  a  dark  stain  on  the  fair  escutch- 
eon of  our  liberties,  and  that  eventually  it  may  prove  the  breaker  on  which 
the  proud  ship  of  state  may  be  wrecked. 

"  In  the  Church  a  difficulty  has  arisen — whether  it  is  in  harmony  with  the 
spirit  of  Methodism  for  a  bishop,  who  is  called  to  all  parts  of  the  Union,  to 
be  the  possessor  of  human  property ;  and  at  the  late  session  of  the  General 
Conference  much  time  was  spent  on  this  question,  which  was  finally  decided 
in  the  negative.  This  decision  has  so  enraged  the  Southern  portion  of  the 
Church  that  they  have  declared  that  they  will  not  submit  to  this  (as  they 
would  term  it)  arbitrary  measure,  and  they  have  called  a  General  Confer- 
ence, to  be  held  in  May  next,  to  take  steps  toward  division.  What  it  will 
end  in  is  for  the  future  to  develop.  I  trust  that  the  Great  Head  of  the 
Church  will  rule  all  things  well ;  that  He  will  adjust  these  difficulties,  and 
bring  all  things  to  a  happy  termination.  I  had  intended  when  I  commenced 
my  letter  to  be  rather  egotistic ;  but  ideas  on  the  subjects  which  I  have  al- 
luded to  have  multiplied,  and  I  have  just  recorded  them.  My  next  shall  be 
more  about  myself  and  family.  As  we  boys  are  accustomed  to  say, '  tempus 
et  spatium'1  fail  me,  and  I  must  close." 

The  reader  of  these  pages  will  readily  forgive  our  young 
friend  for  his  want  of  "egotism"  in  this  letter,  since  more  of 
him,  as  an  observer  of  his  times,  is  seen  than  any  merely  per- 
sonal narrative  could  have  given.  It  is  evident  that  he  was 
thoroughly  alive  to  the  stirring  events  of  those  days,  in  which 
party  strife,  both  in  State  and  Church,  had  reached  the  pitch 
that  already  foreboded  the  calamities  into  which  the  whole 
country  was  soon  precipitated. 


PATRIOTISM. — FIRST   EVANGELISTIC    EFFORTS.  IOI 

Thus  at  the  age  of  seventeen  he  evinced  a  familiarity  with 
public  movements,  a  close  sympathy  with  the  welfare  of  the  na- 
tion, and  of  the  Church  to  which  he  belonged,  which  never  for- 
sook him.  From  this  time  onward  he  could  be  no  indifferent 
citizen  of  the  State  or  member  of  the  Church.  It  was  not  in 
the  nature  of  a  soul  so  thoroughly  human,  and  so  richly  imbued 
with  the  Master's  spirit,  to  be  a  passive  cipher  in  the  midst  of 
such  active  forces  as  those  into  which  he  was  born  and  in  which 
he  grew  up.  It  has  been  conjectured,  in  a  most  graphic  deline- 
ation of  his  father,  that  the  stirring,  warlike  spirit  of  Europe  in 
the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century,  at  the  period  of  the 
father's  birth,  had  much  to  do  with  his  martial  spirit  as  an 
orator.  A  heart  more  responsive  to  the  weal  of  the  nation  and 
to  the  weal  of  the  Church  never  throbbed  than  beat  in  the 
breast  of  Alfred  Cookman ;  nor  has  there  arisen  among  us  a 
public  man,  whether  in  the  pulpit  or  out  of  it,  whose  character 
was  more  affected  by  the  reflected  influence  of  these  two  ob- 
jects. To  those  who  knew  so  well  the  genuineness  of  his  pa- 
triotism, and  the  unselfish  zeal  of  his  Methodism  in  later  years, 
it  is  no  unpleasant  matter  to  get  the  peep  at  the  early  dawn  of 
these  two  great  passions  which  is  afforded  us  by  this  letter. 
How  like  the  temper  of  the  perfected  man,  the  sentiment,  "  I 
trust  that  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  will  rule  all  things  well ; 
that  He  will  adjust  these  difficulties,  and  bring  all  things  to  a 
happy  termination." 

About  this  time,  the  year  1845,  Alfred  entered  distinctively 
upon  his  evangelistic  career ;  not,  however,  as  a  preacher,  but 
as  an  earnest  worker  in  Sabbath-school  and  missionary  effort. 
A  band  of  young  men,  most  of  whom  were  connected  with  the 
Charles  Street  Church,  formed  a  mission  to  the  seamen  and 
poor  children  who  frequented  the  upper  docks  of  the  harbor  in 
Baltimore.  Their  hearts  were  touched  with  pity  as  they  saw  the 
large  number  of  sailors,  most  of  whom  were  confined  to  vessels 
doing  business  wholly  in  the  waters  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  and 


102  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

who  were  back  and  forth  very  often,  entirely  destitute  of  the 
means  of  religious  improvement.  They  first  rented  a  small 
room  at  the  head  of  Frederick  Street  Dock.  This  proving  too 
limited,  they  removed  to  a  more  commodious  and  eligibly  lo- 
cated one  on  Pratt  Street,  at  the  head  of  the  Upper  Basin.  It  was 
not  the  first  time  that  Methodism  began  a  good  work  in  a  "  Sail 
Loft."  The  old  Sail  Loft,  christened  "  the  City  Bethel,"  was  the 
scene  of  the  zealous  labors  of  these  devout  young  men  on  Sun- 
days and  week-day  evenings.  Alfred  was  the  youngest  among 
them,  but  not  least  in  graces  and  gifts.  He  was  so  powerfully 
affected  by  the  "  Bethel  Fraternity,"  then  and  always  for  the 
shape  and  for  the  friendships  it  gave  him,  and  those  who  con- 
stituted this  band  of  generous  youths  have  since  come  to  such 
repute,  and  the  immediate  object  for  which  they  labored  has 
come  to  such  stability,  that  I  offer  from  the  pen  of  the  Rev.  T. 
H.  Switzer,  the  first  pastor  of  the  City  Bethel,  a  circumstantial 
account  of  the  matter : 

"  The  Baltimore  City  Bethel  was  the  second  organization  of 
the  kind  in  the  city,  its  object  was  to  reach  sailors,  watermen, 
and  neglected  children,  who  loitered  about  the  wharfs  on  the 
Sabbath-day.  It  was  called  City  Bethel  to  distinguish  it  from 
the  Sailors'  Union  Bethel,  of  Fell's  Point,  Baltimore. 

"  The  first  Seamens'  Bethel  had  been  organized  many  years 
previous,  chiefly  by  aged  and  experienced  Christians  of  differ- 
ent denominations.  The  City  Bethel  was  the  point  of  youthful 
devotion  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  A  number  of  young  men, 
aided  by  a  few  older  brethren,  with  a  commendable  zeal  and 
desire  to  do  good,  began  to  inquire  what  could  be  done  for  Sab- 
bath-breaking boatmen  and  neglected  indigent  children ;  im- 
pelled by  the  same  influence  that  moved  the  primitive  preach- 
ers and  reformers,  they  went  out  looking  up  the  poor,  neglect- 
ed, and  abandoned,  and  inviting  them  to  a  Sabbath-school  and 
place  of  worship.  The  first  year  the  society  conducted  its  own 
meetings,  assisted  occasionally  by  a  local  or  itinerant  minister; 


THE   CITY   BETHEL   MISSION.  103 

the  Sabbath  afternoons  were  devoted  to  experience  meetings, 
where  many  testified  to  the  goodness  of  God  in  saving  them 
from  the  jaws  of  death  and  hell.  At  these  meetings  many  were 
convicted  and  led  to  seek  the  Saviour.  The  place  of  worship 
was  a  room  about  twenty  feet  broad  and  forty  or  fifty  feet  deep, 
situated  at  the  head  of  and  overlooking  the  City  Basin. 

"In  less  than  a  year  it  was  entirely  too  small  to  accommodate 
those  who  attended  the  Sabbath-schools  and  divine  worship, 
and  the  society  purchased  and  fitted  up  the  old  time-honored 
ship  William  Penn,  capable  of  accommodating  six  hundred  per- 
sons. Rev.  J.  A.  Collins,  presiding  elder  of  the  Baltimore  Dis- 
trict, assisted  by  other  ministers,  dedicated  this  ship  to  the  serv- 
ice of  God.  The  Bethel  was  safely  moored  in  the  Basin,  its 
flag  waving  from  the  mast-head,  and  service  was  held  three 
times  on  the  Sabbath.  The  Bethel,  though  not  a  denomina- 
tional institution,  was  chiefly  managed  by  the  young  men  of  our 
Church  ;  class-meetings  were  held  regularly  during  the  week,  led 
by  the  pastor;  Sabbath  morning  and  evening  the  pulpit  was  fill- 
ed by  the  preacher  in  charge,  in  the  afternoon  his  place  was 
supplied  by  ministers  of  different  denominations — Dr.  J.  Morris 
(Lutheran),  Dr.  Johns  (Episcopal),  Dr.  Kurtz  (Lutheran),  Dr. 
E.  Y.  Reese  (Protestant  Methodist),  and  others,  participating  in 
the  services.  Prayer-meetings  were  held  on  one  or  two  evenings 
of  each  week.  From  that  old  ship  many  a  sailor  carried  a 
flame  of  love  for  Jesus  into  distant  lands,  and  many  whose  call- 
ing was  on  land  will  bless  God  for  what  has  been  done  for 
them  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  young  men  of  this  Beth- 
el. The  members  of  the  society  held  their  membership  in  some 
one  of  the  city  stations,  but  most  of  them  belonged  to  the 
Charles  Street  M.  E.  Church,  then  in  charge  of  Dr.  Dorsey. 

"  I  distinctly  remember  the  names  of  Samuel  Kramer,  Ger- 
shom  Broadbent,  Robert  Dryden,  Thomas  Dryden,  William  H. 
Chapman,  Adam  Wallace,  John  Landstreet,  William  Prettyman, 
Thomas  Worthington,  Brother  Cristy,  Brother  Armstrong,  C. 


104  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

J.  Thompson,  and  Alfred  Cookman.  Brother  Samuel  Kramer 
deserves  honorable  mention  in  this  connection ;  he  was  the  old- 
est member  of  the  association,  and  a  local  preacher;  he  devoted 
much  of  his  time  and  attention  to  the  spiritual  and  financial 
interests  of  the  society,  and  this  interest  he  kept  up  for  many 
years.  Brother  Alfred  Cookman,  although  the  youngest,  was 
one  of  the  most  active  and  efficient  members  of  the  society;  at 
our  regular  monthly  meetings  to  devise  ways  and  means  of  ad- 
vancing the  interests  of  the  association,  he  was  always  present, 
and  took  part  in  our  deliberations  and  discussions.  In  the  Sab- 
bath-school, the  experience  meetings,  and  in  the  preaching  of 
the  Word,  he  manifested  a  lively  interest.  Soon  after  my  ap- 
pointment to  the  charge,  an  incident  occurred  which  brought 
him  particularly  under  my  notice.  Thomas  Dryden,  son  of 
Joshua  Dryden,  after  a  protracted  illness,  fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 
His  death  was  deeply  lamented  by  the  society.  His  example 
was  bright  while  he  lived,  and  his  death  was  signally  triumphant. 
The  friends  of  the  deceased  and  members  of  the  organization  re- 
quested Brother  Cookman  to  prepare  a  funeral  discourse,  which 
he  did,  and  delivered  in  the  lecture-room  of  the  Charles  Street 
Church.  This  was  Alfred's  first  sermon,  then  in  his  seven- 
teenth year.  The  discourse  made  a  strong  impression  on  the 
audience,  and  those  present  who  are  now  living  remember  it  to 
the  present  day.  His  call  to  the  ministry  was  undoubted  by 
those  who  heard  him  on  that  occasion. 

"The  sermon  was  delivered  with  much  feeling,  his  enunciation 
was  distinct,  his  language  chaste  and  impressive,  his  illustra- 
tions forcible  and  appropriate;  his  pathetic  allusions  to  the  de- 
ceased touched  the  tender  chords  of  the  hearts  of  many  present. 
Those  who  were  familiar  with  his  father's  method,  and  the  char- 
acter of  his  preaching,  could  not  fail  to  discover  in  the  younger 
Cookman  traits  that  reminded  them  of  that  eminent  minister 
of  Christ,  George  G.  Cookman. 

"  Alfred  Cookman  was  at  that  time  modest  and  unobtrusive 


FIRST   SERMON. CALL   TO   PREACH.  105 

in  manner,  ardent  in  his  feelings.  His  judgment  was  in  ad- 
vance of  his  years,  his  imagination  was  vivid,  and  illustration 
was  successfully  employed  in  his  themes.  In  person  he  was 
slender,  and  his  genial  countenance  wore  the  cheerful  glow  of 
sunshine. 

"  The  Bethel  ship  was  subsequently  abandoned,  but  not  until 
a  good,  substantial  church  edifice  was  erected  on  shore,  within 
a  few  rods  of  the  wharf  where  she  had  been  moored.  What- 
ever changes  time  shall  develop  in  the  history  of  this  Bethel 
Church,  its  origin  must  be  traced  to  the  labors  of  these  devoted 
sons  of  the  prophets ;  numbers  now  living,  both  laymen  and 
ministers,  remember  with  pleasure  their  connection  with  the 
City  Bethel.  With  gratitude  to  God  we  allude  to  a  number  of 
these  young  men  who  became  able  ministers  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment, among  whom  are  Robert  Pattison,  C.  J.  Thompson,  Adam 
Wallace,  John  Landstreet,  William  Harden,  William  Chapman, 
and  Alfred  Cookman." 

The  communication  of  Mr.  Switzer  has  anticipated  a  little 
the  fact  which  was  to  give  direction  to  Alfred's  future  calling. 
From  the  incident  of  the  funeral  sermon,  it  is  evident  that  an 
impression  was  already  prevailing  among  his  associates  that  he 
was  "  called  to  preach."  His  selection  by  those  who  knew  him 
most  intimately  for  so  important  a  service  for  their  departed 
associate,  shows  that  they  not  only  believed  him  called  of  God 
to  preach,  but  also  the  high  estimation  in  which  they  held  both 
his  talents  and  his  piety.  It  was  a  great  mark  of  respect  to  be 
put  upon  a  youth  of  seventeen  years.  His  text  on  the  occasion 
was,  "  To  die  is  gain."  The  general  style  and  effect  of  the 
treatment  have  been  described.  The  mind  of  the  Church  now 
distinctly  pointed  to  him  as  a  suitable  person  to  preach  the 
Gospel  of  Christ.  The  call  to  preach,  among  the  Methodists, 
is  regarded  as  a  two-fold  and  simultaneous  movement  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  upon  the  heart  of  the  individual  and  upon  the  heart 
of  the  Church  with  which  he  is  connected.  However  reserved 

E2 


106  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

the  person  thus  moved  may  be  in  withholding  his  impressions, 
the  Church  will  be  led,  independently  of  any  communication 
from  him,  to  feel  that  he  ought  to  take  upon  himself  the  office 
and  work  of  the  ministry.  Many  a  young  man  who,  in  his 
modesty,  has  tried  like  Saul  to  hide  himself  among  the  stuff,  ig- 
norant that  any  one  suspected  his  struggles  of  soul,  has  been 
drawn  out  of  his  hiding-place  and  thrust  forth  into  the  work. 
Such,  too,  has  not  unfrequently  stood  head  and  shoulders  above 
his  brethren. 

The  initial  steps  were  taken  in  designating  Alfred  Cookman 
for  the  ministry  November  ist,  1845,  when  he  was  licensed  as 
an  exhorter  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  by  the  official 
meeting  of  the  Charles  Street  Station,  Baltimore  Conference, 
Edwin  Dorsey  preacher  in  charge.  In  less  than  a  year  from 
this  time,  on  July  yth,  1846,  he  received  from  the  Quarterly 
Conference  of  the  same  charge  a  license  to  preach,  signed  by 
the  Rev.  John  A.  Collins,  as  presiding  elder.  The  preparation 
for  the  examination  which  he  had  to  undergo  before  the  Quar- 
terly Conference  was  made  wholly  by  himself.  It  was  conduct- 
ed very  thoroughly  by  Mr.  Collins,  who,  at  its  close,  pronounced 
Alfred  more  proficient  in  the  subjects  comprised  in  the  exam- 
ination than  any  young  man  who  had  ever  come  before  him  for 
license.  He  was  at  this  time  an  assistant  teacher  in  a  private 
academy;  his  work  was  arduous  and  confining,  his  social  and 
religious  engagements  numerous,  so  that  he  must  have  studied 
diligently  to  attain  such  a  clear  understanding  of  the  Scriptural 
proofs  of  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  Christianity. 

George  G.  Cookman  had  thus  early  a  successor  in  the  minis- 
try. Five  years  only  had  gone  since  the  great  light  was  quench- 
ed in  the  sea,  and  now  in  the  person  and  office  of  the  eldest 
born  the  work  of  illumination  was  to  be  continued.  The  deep 
emotions  of  the  mother  may  be  better  imagined  than  expressed, 
as  she  saw  her  little  Solomon  recognized  as  God's  chosen  one, 
and  designated  by  the  Church  to  the  great  building  to  which 


THE   REV.  DR.  ROBERTS.  107 

she  had  so  sincerely  consecrated  him  in  childhood.  To  such  a 
mother  this  hour  for  her  first  born  was  cause  for  richer  joy  and 
juster  pride  than  if  she  had  seen  him  selected  for  an  earthly 
throne,  or  as  the  heir  of  the  wealthiest  man  in  the  land.  Of 
Alfred's  own  feelings  at  this  important  period  of  his  career,  but 
a  limited  statement  is  at  command.  In  after  years  he  made 
this  reference  to  it:  "At  he  age  of  eighteen  I  took  up  the  silver 
trumpet  which  had  fallen  from  the  hand  of  my  faithful  father, 
and  began  to  preach,  in  a  very  humble  way,  the  everlasting 
Gospel."  This  allusion,  and  that  found  in  the  following  letter 
to  his  grandfather,  are  enough  to  show  the  humility  and  earnest- 
ness with  which  he  received  the  great  commission.  The  letter 
also  lets  us  into  his  anxious  questionings  as  to  his  immediate 
future  course.  Its  references  to  the  late  Rev.  George  C.  M. 
Roberts,  M.D.,  D.D.,  can  not  fail  of  grateful  interest  to  the 
hosts  of  friends  in  Baltimore  and  elsewhere,  who  cherish  with 
such  affection  and  reverence  the  memory  of  that  able  and  de- 
vout man.  At  once  physician  and  local  preacher,  he  ministered 
to  the  bodies  and  souls  of  thousands,  and  for  the  space  of  a 
quarter  of  a  century  wielded  an  influence  in  the  community  sec- 
ond to  no  other  citizen. 

From  Alfred  to  his  grandfather  Cookman  : 

"BALTIMORE,  July  7, 1846. 

"  A  favorable  opportunity  for  transmitting  you  a  few  lines  has  presented 
itself,  inasmuch  as  Dr.  Roberts,  one  of  the  most  respected  and  esteemed 
members  of  our  community,  is  about  to  depart  for  England,  with  the  design 
of  attending  the  World's  Convention.  This  gentleman  is  a  member  of  the 
medical  profession  in  our  city ;  in  connection  with  this  he  is  an  official  mem- 
ber in  the  Methodist  Church,  and  has  always  evinced  great  zeal  and  energy 
in  the  promotion  of  every  good  and  benevolent  enterprise.  I  am  sure  that 
Baltimore  possesses  no  son  more  highly  esteemed  and  more  generally  loved 
than  this  brother,  and  it  is  on  account  of  his  noble  and  excellent  qualities 
that  he  was  unhesitatingly  selected  to  represent  the  interests  of  what  is 
termed  "  the  city  station  "  in  this  coming  convention.  He  is  a  man  of  the 
deepest  and  most  devoted  piety,  and  an  earnest  anxiety  for  the  prosperity 


108  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

of  Zion  has  prompted  him  to  establish  a  Saturday-evening  prayer-meeting, 
where  Christians  are  accustomed  to  meet  and  pray,  more  especially  for  the 
sanctifying  influences  of  God's  spirit.  At  these  meetings  I  have  frequently 
been  found,  and  have  there  eminently  realized  the  presence  of  the  King 
of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords.  I  am  sure  you  will  be  pleased  with  him. 
Possessed  of  a  sweet,  Christian-like  spirit,  affable  and  winning  manners,  and 
no  small  share  of  intellect,  he  secures  for  himself  the  affection  and  good-will 
of  all  with  whom  he  is  called  to  associate. 

"As  you  are  aware,  I  have  been  engaged  in  teaching  for  the  last  twelve 
months.  I  have  not  realized  those  sanguine  expectations  that  I  indulged 
when  I  entered  upon  this  arduous  employment ;  for  I  confidently  hoped  to 
do  more  in  the  improvement  of  my  mind,  while  engaged  in  teaching,  than  I 
could  possibly  if  my  entire  time  were  devoted  to  literary  pursuits.  I  thought 
that,  while  instructing  youths,  I  should  effect  a  review  of  old  studies,  and 
that  between  schools  I  could  devote  myself  to  mental  labor  or  literary  ac- 
quisition ;  but,  alas !  alas !  my  hopes  have  proved  vain,  and  I  have  not 
reached  that  point  in  the  hill  of  science  whither  my  aspirations  would  have 
led  me.  The  school  in  which  I  am  engaged  as  assistant  has  been  small, 
and  made  up  principally  of  boys  who  were  in  the  very  first  rudiments  of 
science ;  and  day  after  day  my  duties  have  been  to  hear  the  little  urchin  re- 
peat his  task  either  in  spelling,  geography,  arithmetic,  or  some  other  minor 
branch,  all  of  which  it  would  be  almost  impossible  to  forget ;  and  thus  I,  of 
course,  have  not  realized  my  first  expectation.  Although  these  my  scholars 
had  progressed  but  little,  though  their  attainments  were  but  limited,  I  felt 
it  to  be  my  duty  to  devote  myself  with  as  much  assiduity  and  energy  to  their 
improvement  as  if  I  had  heard  them  every  day  recite  an  ode  of  Horace  or 
a  section  of  Homer.  The  consequence  has  been  that,  when  after  having 
performed  my  duties  I  have  returned  home  and  retired  to  my  own  study,  I 
have  experienced  a  general  prostration  of  my  entire  system.  My  nerves 
have  been  unstrung,  my  energies  paralyzed,  and  I  have  had  no  spirit  to  pro- 
ceed with  study.  I  must  not,  I  can  not  consistently  say,  that  I  have  made 
no  additions  to  my  stock  during  the  year.  Many  theological  works  I  have 
carefully  perused,  and  think  that  I  am  pretty  well  grounded  in  the  funda- 
mentals of  divinity.  During  the  year  I  felt  it  to  be  my  duty  to  assume  a 
more  responsible  station,  namely,  that  of  a  minister  of  the  everlasting  Gospel. 
Frequently  I  have  stood  up  in  the  sacred  desk  to  expound  the  oracles  of 
God;  and,  in  declaring  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ,  in  dwelling  upon 
the  amazing  love  and  infinite  condescension  of  the  Saviour  in  redemption, 
my  own  soul  has  been  warmed,  and  I  have  realized  that  in  dispensing  the 
Gospel  I  receive  much  of  Heaven's  comfort. 


METHOD. — HUMILITY. — ACTIVITY.  109 

"  I  have  been  seriously  considering  which  would  be  the  best  course  for 
me  to  pursue  in  the  future.  My  engagements  with  Mr.  L.  will  terminate  in 
a  few  days,  and  I  do  not  feel  disposed  to  shackle  myself  for  the  coming  year 
as  I  certainly  have  during  the  past.  I  have  sought  the  counsel  of  some  of  my 
father's  tried  friends,  as,  for  instance,  Messrs.  Hodgson,  Durbin,  Thompson, 
and  others,  and  they  advise  me  to  enter  the  itinerant  field,  assuring  me  that 
I  will  not  only  have  more  time,  but  more  disposition  to  study.  I  have  calmly 
and  dispassionately  weighed  this  advice,  and  think  it  is  good;  that  per- 
haps it  would  be  to  my  advantage,  in  an  intellectual  point  of  view,  as  well  as 
the  consideration  that,  in  the  hands  of  God,  I  might  be  made  useful." 

Alfred's  mother,  in  referring  to  his  habits  at  this  date  of  his 
life,  says,  "  He  very  early  threw  in  his  efforts  (with  others)  to 
work  among  a  class  of  degraded  human  beings,  who  were  drunk- 
ards, and  were  almost  taken  out  of  the  gutters.  His  young  voice 
was  often  heard  in  denunciation  and  earnest  entreaties  for  them 
to  turn  from  sin  and  become  new  men  in  Christ  Jesus.  With 
what  zeal  and  earnestness  did  he  follow  these  poor  outcasts ! 
Alfred  was  very  exact  in  the  distribution  of  his  time.  He  had  to 
depend,  in  a  great  measure,  on  his  own  efforts.  He  felt  himself 
a  fatherless  youth,  and  had  very  ardent  yearnings  to  acquire 
knowledge,  and  to  prepare  himself  to  fill  a  useful  and  honorable 
position  in  life.  Thus  he  became  a  very  diligent  student  in  the 
various  departments  constituting  a  thorough  scholar.  In  Latin, 
Greek,  German,  and  French,  he  was  very  proficient,  and  his 
knowledge  in  the  arts  and  sciences  was  considerable.  Even  at 
the  age  of  twelve  his  father  acknowledged  he  was  farther  ad- 
vanced in  those  branches  than  he  was  himself  at  the  age  of 
eighteen.  Humility  and  timidity  were  two  of  his  peculiar  char- 
acteristics, which  kept  him  from  any  thing  like  display  or  as- 
sumption." 

Subsequently  to  his  license  to  preach,  and  before  leaving 
Baltimore,  he  preached  frequently.  His  friend,  Mr.  Samuel 
Kramer,  a  local  preacher,  would  take  him  to  his  country  ap- 
pointments contiguous  to  the  city,  and  would  have  him  supply 
for  him.  All  the  opportunities  he  could  desire,  and  more  per- 


110  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

haps  than  was  prudent  for  so  young  a  beginner,  were  opened 
to  him.  His  engagements  were  constantly  up  to  the  full  meas- 
ure of  his  strength  and  his  time.  In  the  best  pulpits  of  the 
city  his  services  were  accepted,  and  in  the  best  society  of 
the  city  his  company  was  eagerly  sought.  The  name  he  bore 
was  hallowed  to  the  people.  They  were  prepared,  for  his  fa- 
ther's and  mother's  sake,  to  listen  to  his  words  and  to  love 
his  character.  But  he  was  every  thing  in  himself  that  was  at- 
tractive— one  of  the  most  engaging  youths  who  ever  stood  in  a 
sacred  desk  or  moved  among  a  circle  of  friends.  There  was  a 
freshness  and  healthfulness  of  physique,  an  openness  of  physi- 
ognomy, a  spiritual  beauty,  a  ripeness  of  culture,  a  manifest 
piety,  a  gracefulness  of  movement,  and  a  native  eloquence  which 
won  all  hearts ;  and  from  this  early  day  until  his  death  there 
was  no  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  who  could 
draw  together  a  larger  crowd  of  ardent,  admiring  hearers  in  the 
city  of  Baltimore  than  Alfred  Cookman.  A  halo  invested  him 
from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  his  career. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE    YOUTHFUL    PASTOR. — HIS    FIRST   CIRCUIT. 

BUT  the  time  had  now  come  when  plans  for  the  more  regular 
and  permanent  exercise  of  his  ministry  began  seriously  to  agi- 
tate him.  We  have  already  seen  from  his  last  letter  that  thoughts 
of  a  collegiate  course  had  been  entertained  and  discussed.  It 
appears  that  the  counsels  of  his  father's  closest  friends  were 
adverse  to  this,  and  favorable  to  an  immediate  entrance  upon 
the  itinerant  ministry. 

The  question  may  have  come  to  others  as  to  myself:  Why 
did  not  Mrs.  Cookman  settle  in  Carlisle  after  the  death  of  her 
husband,  where  she  could  have  had  for  her  sons  the  training 
of  Dickinson  College  ?  She  had  lived  there — cherished  many 
pleasant  memories  of  the  town  and  its  people — had  a  scholar- 
ship of  five  hundred  dollars — and  it  was  proposed  to  her  to  go 
there ;  but  her  health  was  too  feeble  to  allow  it.  When  resid- 
ing there  she  was  nearly  disabled  by  the  climate,  and  she  could 
not  venture  to  live  in  it  again.  Why,  then,  did  she  not  send 
Alfred  ?  Simply  because  her  purpose  was  fixed  not  to  separate 
her  children  while  they  were  in  process  of  education.  She 
wished  them  all  at  home,  and  at  that  time  she  needed  Alfred 
as  really  as  he  needed  her.  She  thought  and  acted  for  herself 
in  the  matter.  She  was  afraid  to  trust  her  boy  at  college  away 
from  her,  and  since  she  could  not  accompany  him,  it  was  decided 
he  must  do  the  best  he  could  with  such  facilities  as  Baltimore 
afforded.  Mrs.  Cookman  honored  learning  much,  but  she  rev- 
erenced goodness  more.  She  may  have  taken  counsel  of  her 
fears,  but  the  wisdom  of  her  decision  none  can  presume  to  ques- 
tion till  the  records  of  the  son's  life  are  unfolded  in  eternity. 


112  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Certainly  the  results  of  his  ministry  are  not  such  as  to  leave 
room  for  many  regrets  on  the  ground  of  greater  possible  useful- 
ness. What  he  was  we  know ;  what  he  might  have  been  with 
the  influences  of  the  broader  culture  which  comes  of  the  studies 
and  associations  of  the  college  we  can  not  fully  conjecture.  A 
more  liberal  education,  prosecuted  at  greater  length,  would 
probably  have  rendered  him  different,  in  some  respects,  from 
what  he  was  as  a  man  and  as  a  preacher,  but  it  is  extremely 
doubtful  if  it  could  have  rendered  him  more  intense  in  his  per- 
sonal and  ministerial  influence.  In  the  cry  for  scholars,  we  are 
too  apt  to  forget  that  it  is  not  so  much  ideas  as  their  applica- 
tion ;  not  so  much  new  truths  as  the  practice  of  old  truths ;  not 
so  much  thinkers  as  actors — men  of  deeds — that  the  great  world 
needs.  A  man  to  move  and  mould  the  people  must  be  a  man 
of  positive  convictions,  be  the  circle  of  his  knowledge  never  so 
small,  rather  than  a  critical  investigator. 

Alfred  Cookman  was  capable  of  becoming  a  scholar  of  a  high 
order,  but  he  chose  to  narrow  the  sphere  of  his  studies  to  the 
subjects  which  nourished  his  own  soul  satisfactorily,  which  he 
felt  would  make  him  most  useful  as  a  pastor,  and  it  was  the  thor- 
oughness with  which  his  intellect  grasped  these,  and  the  hearti- 
ness with  which  he  believed  them,  that  gave  him  in  his  domain 
so  marked  an  ascendency  over  the  minds  of  the  people.  So  that 
I  am  frank  to  acknowledge  that  if  a  collegiate  education  (taking 
education  in  its  multiplex  sense)  would  have  made  his  ministry 
different  from  what  it  was,  I  can  scarcely  see  how  it  could  have 
made  it  more  useful.  I  fear  the  contrary  might  have  been  the  re- 
sult. Upon  the  whole,  it  is  quite  safe  to  assume,  where  the  sin- 
cerest  efforts  are  made  by  those  who  have  the  shaping  of  Christ's 
chosen  instruments,  that  their  course  is  about  such  as  God  or- 
ders, and  in  the  outcome  is  the  best  for  them  and  for  His  Church. 

The  point  being  settled  that  the  young  evangelist  should  at 
once  make  full  proof  of  his  ministry  by  entering  the  regular  pas- 
torate, the  next  question  for  decision  was,  "What  conference 


REASONS    FOR   REMOVING   TO   PHILADELPHIA.  113 

shall  he  join?"  Some  of  his  friends  urged  him  strongly  to 
seek  admission  into  the  Baltimore  Conference,  while  others  as 
strongly  urged  the  advantages  of  the  Philadelphia.  It  would 
have  been  natural  for  him  to  remain  where  he  was,  but  the  rea- 
sons for  going  to  Philadelphia  were  controlling.  His  former 
and  much-beloved  teacher,  the  Rev.  Robert  Pattison,  had  joined 
that  conference ;  several  of  his  young  associates,  such  as  Charles 
J.  Thompson  and  Adam  Wallace,  preferred  it ;  his  father  had 
first  united  with  it,  and  he  wished,  as  far  as  possible,  to  follow 
in  his  footsteps. 

But,  as  usual,  the  mother's  judgment  turned  the  scales.  There 
were  better  schools  and  better  opportunities  of  business  in  Phil- 
adelphia, and  Pennsylvania  was  a  free  state.  Her  repugnance  to 
slavery  made  her  adverse  to  rearing  her  children  in  contact  with 
it.  There  was  another  consideration  which  weighed  with  her 
possibly  more  than  all  others  :  she  felt  the  time  had  come  when 
she  must  give  herself  more  fully  to  the  care  of  her  children.  So 
numerous  and  pressing  were  her  social  and  religious  engage- 
ments, that  she  found  it  quite  impossible  to  impart  the  instruc- 
tion and  sympathy  which  their  increasing  years  demanded.  She 
was  expected  to  be  prominent  in  every  benevolent  movement  of 
the  ladies,  to  attend  all  their  prayer-meetings,  to  be  present  at 
their  social  entertainments — indeed,  to  be  foremost  in  every 
good  word  and  work,  and  with  only  very  limited  means  at  her 
command  ;  to  superintend  personally  a  large  family  of  children, 
all  of  whom  were  boys  but  the  youngest — these  must  be  para- 
gons of  neatness,  propriety,  and  intelligence — and  she  must  be 
universal  mother  and  sister  in  the  fellowship  of  joy  and  in  the 
fellowship  of  pain  to  all  who  needed  her  counsel  or  sought  her 
sympathy.  It  could  not  be  :  she  must  go  back  again  to  the  old 
position,  when  she  elected  to  fashion  men  rather  than  to  be  a 
missionary.  While,  therefore,  her  heart  was  deeply  attached  to 
Baltimore  and  to  its  loving,  noble  Christians,  she  determined 
that,  for  her  family's  sake,  she  must  cut  herself  loose  from  their 


114  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

companionship,  and  seek,  in  another  city  and  amid  new  scenes, 
to  enter  upon  a  course  of  more  exclusive  devotion  to  home 
nurture. 

Early  in  the  autumn  of  1846  the  household  goods  were  stored 
in  a  canal-boat  and  shipped  to  Philadelphia.  The  family  soon 
followed,  and  within  a  few  weeks  were  snugly  at  housekeeping 
on  Race  Street,  between  Tenth  and  Eleventh  Streets.  Alfred 
had  already  been  requested  by  the  Rev.  James  McFarland, 
presiding  elder  of  one  of  the  Philadelphia  districts,  to  supply 
the  place  of  Rev.  D.  D.  Lore,  who  had  been  appointed  mission- 
ary to  Buenos  Ayres,  on  Attleboro  Circuit,  Bucks  County,  under 
the  charge  of  the  Rev.  James  Hand.  ,  He  accepted  the  invita- 
tion, and  so  soon  as  the  family  were  settled,  and  he  had  pro- 
cured the  necessary  outfit,  he  started  for  the  "  appointment." 
His  horse  he  named  "  Gery,"  in  honor  of  his  friend  Gershom 
Broadbent  of  Baltimore.  Gery  became  a  great  pet  with  him 
and  with  all  the  brothers  and  the  little  sister.  Alfred  and  Gery 
were  much  talked  about  at  home,  and  their  joint  arrival  on  a 
visit  was  henceforth  hailed  as  the  brightest  day  which  could 
dawn  on  Philadelphia.  Many  were  the  caresses  which  Gery  got 
from  little  Mary,  and  George,  Frank,  Will, 'and  John  were  not 
slow  to  test  the  mettle  of  their  brother's  faithful  companion. 

It  was  a  proud  hour  when  the  young  preacher,  leaving  his 
mother's  door,  with  her  blessing  on  his  head  and  her  warm  kiss 
upon  his  lips,  springing  into  his  saddle,  hied  away  over  the  hills 
to  his  first  pastoral  charge.  What  a  pang  it  must  have  cost  him 
to  part  with  that  loving  parent,  to  leave  brothers  and  sister, 
who  had  cluqg  to  him  as  a  father,  and  to  go  off  among  total 
strangers !  But  though  young,  and  sensitive  even  to  feminine 
delicacy,  he  had  the  hopes  of  youth  to  cheer  him.  His  heart 
was  full  of  zeal  for  the  Master's  glory,  and  the  romantic  inter- 
est which  belongs  to  an  earnest  nature  in  the  first  commence- 
ment of  a  chosen  and  chivalrous  career.  On  the  mother's  part, 
his  devotement  to  the  work  was  one  of  pure  self-sacrifice ;  and 


HIS  MOTHER'S  PARTING  ADVICE.  115 

as  she  saw  him  ride  away,  in  the  first  act  which  was  forever  to 
take  him  from  her  roof,  the  light  went  out  of  her  eyes  and  the  joy 
from  her  heart.  But  she  made  the  surrender  cheerfully,  thank- 
ing God  that  He  had  "  counted  him  worthy — putting  him  into 
the  ministry."  She  could  not,  however,  let  him  go  without  sal- 
utary advice — advice  which  he  never  forgot,  and  which  became 
a  watch-cry  in  his  ministry.  Here  is  his  reference  to  the  occa- 
sion :  "  Quitting  about  this  time  one  of  the  happiest  of  homes 
to  enter  the  itinerant  work,  my  excellent  mother  remarked  just 
upon  the  threshold  of  my  departure,  '  My  son,  if  you  would  be 
supremely  happy  or  extremely  useful  in  your  work,  you  must  be 
an  entirely  sanctified  servant  of  Jesus.'  It  was  a  cursory  sug- 
gestion, perhaps  forgotten  almost  as  soon  as  expressed;  never- 
theless, applied  by  the  Spirit,  it  made  the  profoundest  impres- 
sion upon  my  mind  and  heart.  Oh,  the  value  of  single  sen- 
tences which  any  one  may  utter  in  the  ordinary  intercourse  of 
life  !  Sermons  and  exhortations  are  frequently  forgotten,  while 
the  wish  or  counsel  simply  and  precisely  expressed  will  abide, 
to  lead  us  into  clearer  light.  Let  this  fact,  which  will  find  an 
illustration  in  many  experiences,  serve  to  stimulate  and  encour- 
age even  the  feeblest  to  speak  for  Jesus.  My  mother's  passing 
but  pointed  remark  followed  me  like  a  good  angel  as  I  moved 
to  and  fro  in  my  first  sphere  of  itinerant  life." 

To  Alfred  the  parting  advice  of  his  mother  seemed  only  like 
a  cursory  remark,  but  it  was  cursory  only  in  its  natural  and 
unstudied  utterance.  Such  counsel  dropped  from  her  lips  as 
the  ripe  fruit  at  a  chance  moment  from  the  tree,  or  sweetness 
exhales  from  the  flower.  "  The  best  thoughts  do  not  come  to 
us  except  gradually."  This  thought  of  Mrs.  Cookman  was  the 
condensed  experience  of  years,  and,  packed  in  a  single  maxim, 
it  fell  gently  into  the  ear  and  heart  of  the  son.  In  this  seed- 
truth  was  germinally  the  whole  substance  and  form  of  what  she 
meant  and  wished  his  life  to  be — the  utmost  usefulness  and 
happiness  as  branches,  foliage,  and  fruits  growing  on  the  stock 


Il6  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

of  holiness.  In  the  first  sphere  and  in  the  last  of  his  itinerant 
life,  that  parting  advice  followed  him.  The  Spartan  matron 
charged  her  sons,  when  going  to  battle,  to  come  back  with  their 
shields  or  to  be  brought  back  on  them.  Alfred  Cookman 
never  parted  with  the  shield  his  mother  gave  him ;  he  went  into 
and  returned  from  many  battles  with  it,  and  when  at  length  he 
fell,  it  is  evident  that  on  it  he  was  borne  to  heaven. 

Attleboro  Circuit  lay  among  the  hills  of  Bucks  County,  Pa., 
and  embraced  in  its  territory  a  fine  rural  district.  It  obliged  a 
good  deal  of  traveling  and  much  hard  work  from  the  youthful 
minister.  The  social  status  of  Methodism  was  not  so  high  as 
he  had  been  accustomed  to  in  the  cities,  and,  although  he  met 
with  great  kindness  from  the  people,  he  missed  many  comforts 
which  he  had  hitherto  deemed  quite  necessary  to  his  well-being. 
But  he  shrunk  from  no  duty,  however  hard,  and  no  work  which 
lay  in  his  way.  Among  the  youths  whom  he  had  found  on  re- 
moving to  Philadelphia  was  Andrew  Longacre,  now  the  Rev. 
Andrew  Longacre,  of  the  New  York  Conference.  They  soon 
felt  themselves  to  be  kindred  spirits,  and  very  speedily  there 
sprang  up  between  them  a  friendship  which  grew  closer  with 
maturing  years,  and  has  constituted  one  of  the  most  profitable 
and  lovely  of  human  attachments.  Andrew  was  younger  by 
three  years,  but  Alfred  gave  him  his  whole  heart.  The  following 
letter  is  a  proof  of  this  affection,  and  also  a  fair  exhibit  of  the 
circuit  life.  It  discloses  to  us  the  dutiful  service  he  was  ready 
to  render  as  a  "junior  preacher,"  the  fidelity  with  which  amid 
bodily  ailments  he  stood  to  his  post,  and  also  the  zest  with 
which,  though  now  a  grave  minister,  he  could  enter  into  the 
pleasantries  of  his  young  friend : 

"NEW  TOV/N,  February  22,  1847. 

"Mv  DEAR  FRIEND  ANDREW,  —  I  had  intended  to  reply  to  your  in- 
teresting and  affectionate  letter  some  days  since,  but  circumstances  have 
been  of  a  character  to  prevent  me.  Not  only  have  I  had  the  duties  of  a 
protracted  meeting  devolving  upon  me,  but  within  the  last  few  days  I  have 


ATTLEBORO   CIRCUIT. — SUCCESS.  117 

necessarily  been  obliged  to  travel  a  good  deal,  in  compliance  with  the  wishes 
of  my  colleague.  On  Friday  last,  in  conjunction  with  his  expressed  desire, 
I  procured  a  covered  wagon  and  a  pair  of  horses,  and,  assisted  by  a  teamster, 
proceeded  to  bring  a  table  that  had  been  constructed  in  New  Hope  to  this 
village,  the  place  of  its  destination.  The  distance  is  about  twelve  miles,  and 
the  road  being  exceedingly  bad,  owing  to  the  continued  wet  weather,  we 
were  about  three  hours  in  accomplishing  the  journey.  During  the  day  I  got 
my  feet  very  wet,  and  on  my  return  was  so  thoroughly  chilled  that  I  appre- 
hended a  severe  cold.  My  surmises  proved  but  too  true,  for,  after  passing  a 
rather  disagreeable  night — my  slumbers  being  disturbed — I  rose  in  the  morn- 
ing threatened  with  my  old  complaint.  I  had  promised  the  day  previous 
that  I  would  return  to  New  Town,  and,  if  necessary,  would  endeavor  to 
preach  on  Saturday  evening  in  Attleboro.  Not  willing  to  sacrifice  my  word, 
I  very  imprudently  again  left  New  Hope  in  an  open  sulky,  and  with  great  dif- 
ficulty reached  New  Town,  when  I  was  obliged  to  alight  and  lie  down.  I 
found,  from  the  state  of  my  feelings,  that  it  would  be  impracticable  and  im- 
possible for  me  to  proceed  any  farther.  Debility  and  pain  seemed  to  have 
seized  my  entire  system,  and  I  was  sicjc — -eery  sick.  My  colleague  came  in, 
and  very  kindly  consented  to  put  away  and  take  charge  of  my  horse,  and 
thought,  from  my  symptoms,  that  I  should  at  once  see  a  doctor.  He  soon 
arrived,  dosed  me  with  laudanum  and  castor-oil,  said  he  would  call  again, 
and  hoped  that  I  would  soon  be  better.  In  the  unbounded  mercy  and  un- 
deserved goodness  of  my  Heavenly  Father,  I  have  been  almost  entirely  re- 
stored ;  and  though  I  feel  a  little  debilitated  and  suffer  a  little  pain,  yet  still  I 
hope  very  soon  again  to  plunge  into  the  battle  and  fight  valiantly  for  my  God. 
"  But  what  am  I  doing  ?  Here  I  have  filled  up  a  page  and  a  half  with 
an  account  of  the  state  of  my  physical  system :  something  that  must  be 
as  uninteresting  as  unprofitable  to  you.  Since  I  left  my  Philadelphia 
friends  (friends  that  I  regard  with  feelings  of  peculiar  tenderness),  I  have 
almost  constantly  been  engaged  in  active  service  for  my  Master.  Almost 
every  evening  has  found  me  upon  the  battle-plain,  surrounded  by  a  devoted 
few,  and  arrayed  against  the  armies  of  the  aliens.  My  ear  has  been  saluted 
not  by  the  clash  of  arms,  the  roar  of  cannon,  the  shrieks  of  the  wounded  and 
dying,  but,  thank  God,  by  something  infinitely  sweeter,  nobler,  and  more  de- 
lightful. Night  after  night  I  have  heard  the  sweet  hymn  of  praise  gushing 
warm  from  the  Christian's  grateful  heart ;  the  fervent  and  importunate  prayer 
from  him  hungering  and  thirsting  after  righteousness ;  the  hearty  exclama- 
tion, '  God  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner,'  from  him  who  regarded  sin  as  a 
burden  too  intolerable  to  be  borne  ;  the  transporting  accent  trembling  upon 
the  lips  of  the  newly  regenerated  creature,  '  Glory  !  Glory  !  I  do  love  Jesus, 


Il8  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

for  He  has  taken  my  feet  from  the  mire  and  the  clay,  and  He  has  planted 
them  on  the  rock  of  ages.'  I  praise  the  Lord  for  what  I  have  enjoyed  in 
my  own  soul ;  the  flame  of  heaven's  love  has  been  burning  brightly  upon  the 
altar  of  my  heart,  and  these  circumstances  to  which  I  have  made  allusion, 
viz.,  the  conversion  of  my  fellow-mortals,  has  been  like  fuel  thrown  upon 
the  fire  to  add  to  the  power  and  brilliancy  of  the  flame.  I  often  look  at  my- 
self, Andrew,  and  when  I  call  to  mind  my  manifold  shortcomings  and  re- 
peated backslidings,  when  I  remember  my  constant  wanderings,  both  to  the 
right  hand  and  to  the  left,  I  am  lost  in  wonder  and  astonishment  that  my 
Saviour  should  be  so  kind  and  good  as  to  lavish  upon  me  such  unnumbered 
and  undeserved  blessings,  that  He  should  choose  me  as  one  of  His  creature 
instruments  to  extend  the  honor  of  the  Redeemer's  name,  I  need  and  ear- 
nestly desire  to  love  Him  more  and  serve  Him  better,  to  have  every  power 
of  my  nature  consecrated  upon  the  altar  of  His  cause  ;  in  a  word,  to  be  sanc- 
tified throughout,  soul,  body,  and  spirit ;  for  I  verily  believe  that,  if  we  would 
be  eminently  useful  as  well  as  supremely  happy,  we  must  love  God  with  all 
our  soul,  mind,  and  strength.  I  certainly  should  feel  very  happy  if  I  thought 
I  had  so  secured  your  confidence  as  4to  prompt  you  feelingly  and  conscien- 
tiously to  array  my  poor  unworthy  self  with  so  many  noble  and  excellent 
qualities.  Perhaps  that  sentence  was  penned,  like  many  of  my  own,  from 
impulse,  for  I  am  sure  that  were  you  to  bestow  upon  me  the  least  scrutiny, 
my  deformities,  physical,  mental,  and  moral,  would  induce  you  to  start  back 
astonished.  One  thing,  though,  is  perfectly  certain.  I  love  my  friends,  and 
I  covet  their  esteem  and  regard. 

"  You  inquire  with  regard  to  the  number  of  valentines  transmitted  and 
received  by  myself— if  less  than  a  hundred,  you  require  the  exact  number ; 
if  more,  a  general  estimate.  Now,  Andrew,  take  out  your  Arithmetic,  and 
refer  to  the  numeration  table.  Are  you  ready  ?  If  so,  commence  ;  but  take 
care  not  to  proceed  with  units,  tens,  and  hundreds,  but  rather  go  the  other 
way,  and  when  you  reach  the  enormous  and  inconceivable  quantity  of  'none? 
you  shall  be  pronounced  correct.  Yes,  Andrew,  I  received  none.  Had  I 
possessed  all  those  peculiar  characteristics  which  your  friendly  epistle  would 
seem  to  indicate,  I  am  almost  sure  that  some  fair  hand  would  have  penned 
a  declaration  of  esteem  and  love.  You  inquire  if  I  regard  it  as  sinful. 
Certainly  not.  I  look  upon  it  as  perfectly  innocent,  an  amusement  that  all 
may  indulge  in  without  incurring  a  sense  of  condemnation,  if  the  valentines 
are  only  of  the  proper  kind." 

All  who  remember  the  expression  of  genuine  modesty  which 
Alfred  Cookman's  face  always  wore,  will  appreciate  the  self- 


BISHOP   AND   MRS.  HAMLINE.  119 

deprecating  reference  with  which  he  meets  his  friend's  tribute 
to  his  personal  qualities.  I  can  almost  see  the  girlish  blush 
which  mantles  his  youthful  brow  at  the  mention  of  these  excel- 
lences. But  the  feature  of  this  first  letter  in  his  ministerial  life 
which  is  most  significant  is  the  ardent  breathings  which  it 
manifests  for  entire  consecration  to  God.  The  leaven  of  his 
mother's  advice  was  already  working.  Circumstances  were  close 
at  hand  which  were  distinctly  to  impress  his  whole  subsequent 
career.  In  the  providence  of  God  he  was  thus  early  brought  into 
contact  with  influences  which  gave  definitive  shape  to  his  views 
and  experiences  on  the  great  doctrine  which  was  henceforth  to 
occupy  so  much  of  his  thoughts,  and  to  the  maintenance  and 
propagation  of  which  his  talents  and  time  were  to  be  so  signally 
and  so  successfully  devoted.  He  shall  speak  for  himself: 

"  Frequently  I  felt  to  yield  myself  to  God,  and  pray  for  the 
grace  of  entire  sanctification ;  but  then  this  experience  would 
lift  itself  in  my  view  as  a  mountain  of  glory,  and  I  would  say 
it  is  not  for  me,  I  could  not  possibly  scale  that  shining  summit ; 
and  if  I  could,  my  besetments  and  trials  are  such  I  could  not 
successfully  maintain  so  lofty  a  position.  While  thus  exercised 
in  mind  Bishop  Hamline,  accompanied  by  his  devoted  wife, 
came  to  New  Town,  one  of  the  principal  appointments  on  the 
circuit,  that  he  might  dedicate  a  church  which  we  had  been 
erecting  for  the  worship  of  God.  Remaining  about  a  week,  he 
not  only  preached  again  and  again,  and  always  with  the  unction 
of  the  Holy  One,  but  took  occasion  to  converse  with  me  point- 
edly respecting  my  religious  experience.  His  gentle  and  yet 
dignified  bearing,  devotional  spirit,  beautiful  Christian  example, 
unctuous  manner,  divinely  illuminated  face,  apostolic  labor  and 
fatherly  counsels,  made  the  profoundest  impression  on  my  mind 
and  heart.  I  heard  him  as  one  sent  from  God,  and  certainly 
he  was ;  his  influence,  so  hallowed  and  blessed,  has  not  only 
remained  with  me  ever  since,  but  even  seems  to  increase  as  I 
pass  along  in  my  sublunary  pilgrimage.  Oh,  how  I  bless  and 


120  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

praise  God  for  the  life  and  labors  of  the  beloved  Bishop  Ham- 
line! 

"  One  week-day  afternoon,  after  a  most  delightful  discourse, 
he  urged  us  to  seize  the  opportunity,  and  do  what  we  had 
often  desired  and  resolved  and  promised  to  do,  viz.,  'as  be- 
lievers yield  ourselves  to  God  as  those  who  were  alive  from 
the  dead,  and  from  that  hour  trust  in  Jesus  as  our  Saviour  from 
all  sin.'  Kneeling  by  myself,  I  brought  an  entire  consecration 
to  the  altar.  But  some  one  will  say,  'Had  you  not  done  that  at 
the  time  of  your  conversion  ?'  I  answer,  Yes !  but  with  this  dif- 
ference—  then  I  brought  powers  dead  in  trespasses  and  sin, 
now  I  would  consecrate  powers  permeated  with  the  new  life  of 
regeneration,  I  would  offer  myself  a  living  sacrifice  ;  then  I  gave 
myself  away,  but  now,  with  the  increased  illumination  of  the 
Spirit,  I  felt  that  my  surrender  was  more  intelligent  and  spe- 
cific and  careful — it  was  my  hands,  my  feet,  my  senses,  my  at- 
tributes of  mind  and  heart,  my  hours,  my  energies,  my  reputa- 
tion, rny  worldly  substance,  my  every  thing,  without  reservation 
or  limitation.  Then  I  was  anxious  for  pardon,  but  now  my  de- 
sire and  faith  compassed  something  more — I  wanted  the  con- 
scious presence  of  the  Sanctifier  in  my  heart.  Carefully  conse- 
crating every  thing,  I  covenanted  with  my  own  heart  and  with 
my  heavenly  Father  that  this  entire  but  unworthy  offering  should 
remain  upon  the  altar,  and  henceforth  I  will  please  God  by  be- 
lieving that  the  altar  (Spirit)  sanctifieth  the  gift.  Do  you  ask 
what  was  the  immediate  effect?  I  answer  .peace — a  broad, 
deep,  full,  satisfying,  and  sacred  peace.  This  proceeded  not 
only  from  the  testimony  of  a  good  conscience  before  God,  but 
likewise  from  the  presence  and  operation  of  the  Spirit  in  my 
heart.  Still  I  could  not  say  that  I  was  entirely  sanctified,  ex- 
cept as  I  had  sanctified  myself  to  God. 

"  The  following  day,  finding  Bishop  and  Mrs.  Hamline,  I  ven- 
tured to  tell  them  of  my  consecration  and  faith  in  Jesus,  and  in 
the  confession  realized  increasing  light  and  strength.  A  little 


EXPERIENCE   OF    ENTIRE   SANCTIFICATION.  121 

while  after  it  was  proposed  by  Mrs.  Hamline  that  we  spend  a 
season  in  prayer.  Prostrated  before  God,  one  and  another 
prayed ;  and  while  thus  engaged,  God  for  Christ's  sake  gave 
me  the  Spirit  as  I  had  never  received  it  before,  so  that  I  was 
constrained  to  conclude  and  confess  'that  the  great  work  of 
heart -purity  that  I  have  so  often  prayed  and  hoped  for  is 
wrought  in  me — even  in  me.  Wonderful !  God  does  sanctify 
my  soul.  I  can  not  doubt  it — oh  no ! 

"  '  Thou  dost  this  moment  save, 
With  full  salvation  bless ; 
Redemption  through  Thy  blood  I  have, 
And  spotless  love  and  peace.' 

"  The  evidence  in  my  case  was  as  direct  and  indubitable  as 
the  witness  of  sonship  vouchsafed  at  the  time  of  my  adoption 
into  the  family  of  heaven.  Need  I  say  that  the  experience  of 
sanctification  inaugurated  a  new  epoch  in  my  religious  life? 
Some  of  the  characteristics  of  this  higher  life  were  blessed  rest 
in  Jesus,  a  clearer  and  more  abiding  experience  of  purity 
through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  What  a  conscious  union  and 
constant  communion  with  God !  What  increased  power  to  do 
and  to  suffer  the  will  of  my  Father,  a  steadier  growth  in  grace, 
what  delight  in  the  Master's  service,  what  fear  to  grieve  the  in- 
finitely Holy  Spirit,  what  love  for  and  desire  to  be  with  those 
who  love  holiness,  what  access  and  confidence  in  prayer,  what 
interest  and  comfort  in  religious  conversation,  what  illumina- 
tion and  joy  in  the  perusal  of  the  blessed  Word,  what  increased 
unction  and  power  in  the  pulpit." 

Such  is  the  account  of  his  entire  sanctification  by  the  Holy 
Spirit,  given  by  this  servant  of  Christ  after  more  than  a  dozen 
years  had  elapsed ;  and  when,  if  sober  reflection  could  have 
corrected  the  errors  of  youth,  it  might  be  supposed  it  would 
have  done  so.  Who  can  read  a  statement  so  simple  and 
straightforward,  so  evidently  faithful  to  the  exercises  of  the 
soul,  and  so  entirely  consistent  with  the  statements  of  conver- 

F 


122  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

sion  and  restoration  he  had  previously  made  with  so  much  can- 
dor and  explicitness,  and  for  a  moment  question  the  fact  of  the 
remarkable  change  which  he  here  records?  Shall  we  receive 
the  testimony  to  the  change  which  occurred  when  "all  alone 
with  Jesus"  in  the  church  at  Carlisle ;  shall  we  accept  the  tes- 
timony to  his  ecstatic  joy  when,  with  a  renewed  sense  of  par- 
don, he  leaped  into  his  father's  arms  at  the  camp-meeting  near 
Washington,  and  reject  or  doubt  this  testimony  to  the  expe- 
rience of  "  heart  purity,"  the  evidence  of  which  he  affirms  was 
as  direct  and  indubitable  as  the  witness  of  sonship  at  the  time 
of  his  adoption  ?  Certainly  he  was  as  capable  of  understanding 
the  correctness  of  the  workings  of  his  self-consciousness  in  the 
one  case  as  in  the  other,  and  also  of  interpreting  these  work- 
ings in  the  light  of  Holy  Scripture.  Here  we  see  the  same 
definiteness  as  there;  now,  as  then,  he  seeks  for  a  distinct 
blessing,  which  he  thinks  is  comprehended  in  the  provisions 
and  promises  of  the  Gospel,  and  in  answer  to  his  faith  it  is 
given,  accompanied  with  its  appropriate  evidence. 

This  blessing,  the  witness  to  which  was  immediate  and  direct, 
did  not  pass  away  in  a  moment;  it  did  net  subside  with  the  oc- 
casion, as  any  casual  emotion  might  do,  but  was  abiding,  and 
constituted  an  "epoch"  in  his  experience,  attended  with  charac- 
teristics which  he  had  time  to  mark  and  prove.  While  I  freely 
allow  that  the  consciousness  of  the  believer  can  not  be  an  orig- 
inal source  of  doctrine,  yet  I  must  admit  that  when  a  doctrine 
is  taught  by  fair  inference  in  the  Word  of  God,  whether  by 
command  .or  by  promise,  or  as  matter  of  history,  the  testimony 
of  consciousness  in  the  living  believer  is  authoritative,  and  must 
be  accepted  in  the  case  of  that  particular  believer,  and  as  an 
index  io  all  who  claim  a  similar  experience. 

Mr.  Wesley's  attention  to  this  great  subject  was  first  arrested, 
when  he  was  forty-one  years  of  age,  by  the  profession  of  those 
who  affirmed  that  they  had  experienced  "salvation  from  all 
sin."  He  examined  them  carefully,  and,  though  he  was  slow  to 


MR.  WESLEY'S  VIEWS.  123 

credit  their  testimony  at  first,  he  was  finally  constrained  to  ac- 
cept it.  Speaking  of  one  such,  he  said,  "  If  he  can  solemnly 
and  deliberately  answer  in  the  affirmative"  (certain  test-ques- 
tions which  he  had  asked),  "why  do  I  not  rejoice  and  praise 
God  on  his  behalf?  Perhaps  because  I  have  an  exceeding 
complex  notion  of  sanctification  or  a  sanctified  man.  And  so, 
for  fear  he  should  not  have  attained  all  I  include  in  that  idea, 
I  can  not  rejoice  in  what  he  has  attained."*  In  reviewing  the 
same  subject  near  the  close  of  his  life,  Mr.  Wesley  wrote : 

"In  the  years  1759  to  1762  their  numbers"  (those  who  pro- 
fessed deliverance  from  sin)  "  multiplied  exceedingly,  not  only 
in  London  and  Bristol,  but  in  various  parts  of  Ireland  as  well 
as  England.  Not  trusting  to  the  testimony  of  others,  I  care- 
fully examined  most  of  these  myself,  and  in  London  alone  I 
found  652  members  of  our  Society  who  were  exceeding  clear  in 
their  experience,  and  of  whose  testimony  I  could  see  no  reason 
to  doubt.  I  believe  no  year  has  passed  since  that  time,  wherein 
God  has  not  wrought  the  same  work  in  many  others,  and  every 
one  of  them  (without  a  single  exception)  has  declared  that  his 
deliverance  from  sin  was  instantaneous;  that  the  change  was 
wrought  in  a  moment.  Had  half  of  these,  or  one  third,  or  one 
in  twenty,  declared  it  was  gradually  wrought  in  them,  I  should 
have  believed  this,  with  regard  to  f/itm,  and  thought  that  some 
were  gradually  sanctified  and  some  instantaneously.  But  as  I 
have  not  found  in  so  long  a  space  of  time  a  single  person 
speaking  thus,  I  can  not  but  believe  that  sanctification  is  com- 
monly, if  not  always,  an  instantaneous  work."t 

Thus  while  Mr.  Wesley  believed  and  preached  Christian  per- 
fection as  a  doctrine  of  the  Bible  and  a  duty  of  believers,  he 
was  incredulous  as  to  its  actual  attainment  in  any  particular 
instance  until  fully  satisfied  by  the  testimony  of  those  whom  he 

*  Tyerman's  Life  and  Times  of  Wesley,  vol.  i.,  p.  462.  Harper  &  Broth- 
ers, New  York. 

t  Wesley's  Works,  vol.  vi.,  p.  464. 


124  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

had  every  reason  to  credit.  Such  was  the  common-sense  way 
in  which  he  dealt  with  all  questions.  To  the  long  line  of  those 
who  in  the  history  of  Methodism  have  lived  as  witnesses  to 
this  blessed  experience,  now  was  added  a  young  herald  of  the 
Cross,  who  was  destined,  by  his  clear  and  forcible  teachings, 
and  by  the  eminent  sanctity  of  his  character,  to  do  as  much  for 
its  illustration,  revival,  and  spread  in  this  land  as  any  other 
man  of  the  last  twenty-five  years.  It  is  not  surprising  that  he 
should  have  ever  after  cherished  the  highest  respect  and  the 
warmest  affection  for  Bishop  and  Mrs.  Hamline.  As  express- 
ive of  this  feeling,  and  as  bearing  upon  this  period  of  his  life, 
I  anticipate,  by  an  extract,  a  letter  written  to  Mrs.  Hamline  a 
little  more  than  a  year  before  his  death. 

To  Mrs.  Bishop  Hamline,  of  Evanston,  Illinois : 

"DESPLAINES,  ILLINOIS,  August  19, 1870. 

"  I  am  greatly  disappointed  in  my  failure  to  see  you  during  this  visit  to 
the  Northwest.  Indeed,  one  of  my  cherished  hopes  in  coming  to  this  re- 
gion was  an  interview  with  yourself.  Your  influence  in  the  past  links  itself 
with  my  spiritual  rest  and  Christian  usefulness  now,  and  will  be  an  occasion 
of  praise  forever  and  ever.  The  name  of  Hamline,  next  to  the  name  of 
Cookman,  is  the  choicest  jewel  in  the  casket  ~of  my  affectionate  remem- 
brance. Yourself  and  your  dear  husband  were  the  instruments  under  God 
of  leading  me  out  into  the  clear  light  of  full  salvation.  How  I  delight  and 
dwell  in  my  musings  upon  the  memory  of  the  beloved  Bishop  Hamline — his 
angelic  face — his  apostolic  bearing — his  unctuous  words.  It  was  after  a  ser- 
mon that  fell  from  his  precious  lips,  preached  in  an  afternoon,  that  I  care- 
fully and  intelligently  consecrated  all  I  had  and  hoped  for  to  God.  The 
entire  consecration  with  faith  in  Jesus  brought  peace — deep,  full,  sacred, 
blessed  peace  ;  but  it  was  not  until  the  following  day,  when  you  and  I  were 
praying  together  (most  probably  you  forget  it),  that  the  witness  came  clearly, 
strongly,  and  satisfactorily  that  I  was  wholly  sanctified  through  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.  With  me  now  as  at  that  epochal  time  in  my  history, 
my  heart  turns  toward  you  with  an  unutterable  interest  and  loz>e.  May  our 
kind  Heavenly  Father  bless  you  with  abounding  consolations.  You  must 
soon  realize  the  joy  of  reunion  with  the  glorified,  and,  more  than  this,  the 
beatific  vision  of  Jesus.  Oh  may  I  not  hope  to  be  associated  with  you  and 
dear  liishop  Hamline  in  the  many  rnansioned  home?" 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

FROM    COUNTRY   TO   CITY. — TRIP   TO    ENGLAND. 

THE  annual  session  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference  was  held 
in  the  spring  of  1847,  at  Wilmington,  Delaware.  Bishop  Ham- 
line  presided.  Alfred  Cookman,  having  finished  up  his  work, 
repaired  to  the  seat  of  the  Conference.  He  was  an  applicant 
for  admission  into  the  Conference,  in  company  with  a  large 
number  of  young  men,  most  of  whom  were  his  personal  friends. 
The  Conference  was  very  full,  it  being  found  difficult  to  station 
all  the  preachers,  and  so,  at  the  advice  of  the  presiding  bishop, 
it  was  voted  to  receive  none  "  on  trial."  This  was  a  sore  dis- 
appointment to  our  young  friend,  as  it  was  to  others  applying. 
He  had  preached  at  least  a  half-year  under  the  presiding  elder, 
and  now  to  be  obliged  to  do  so  an  additional  year  was  some- 
what grievous.  The  policy  of  such  a  procedure  on  the  part  of 
a  Conference  is  always  of  doubtful  expediency,  and  sometimes 
may  be  very  unjust  and  injurious  to  the  parties  and  to  the  work. 
The  young  minister,  however,  had  consecrated  himself  to  the 
Master's  cause,  according  to  the  order  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  the  Church  of  his  father ;  and  so,  bowing  grace- 
fully to  the  decision  of  the  Conference,  he  accepted  again  a  po- 
sition under  the  presiding  elder,  and  entered  cheerfully  upon  it. 
He  was  appointed  by  the  Rev.  Daniel  Lambdin  to  the  Delaware 
City  Circuit,  in  the  State  of  Delaware,  with  the  Rev.  Robert 
McNarmee  for  his  preacher  in  charge. 

Before  I  follow  him  to  his  new  circuit,  an  important  fact  in 
his  inward  life  must  be  stated.  It  will  be  remembered  that  his 
early  religious  experience  received  a  check  upon  the  occasion 
of  his  removal  from  Carlisle  to  Washington.  His  later  expe- 


126  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

rience  received  a  similar  but  a  more  prolonged  check  during  this 
session  of  the  Conference.  The  explanation  is  best  given  in  his 
own  words.  They  are  a  continuation  of  the  published  narrative 
before  quoted  from  :  "  Oh  that  I  could  conclude  just  here  these 
allusions  to  personal  experience  with  the  simple  addition  that 
my  life  to  the  present  has  answered  to  the  description  of  end- 
less progress  regulated  by  endless  peace !  Fidelity  to  truth, 
however,  with  a  solicitude  that  others  may  profit  by  my  errors, 
constrains  me  to  add  another  paragraph  of  my  personal  testi- 
mony. Have  you  ever  known  a  sky  full  of  sunshine — the  pow- 
er of  a  beautiful  day  subsequently  obscured  by  lowering  clouds  ? 
Have  you  ever  known  a  jewel  of  incalculable  value  to  its  owner 
lost  through  culpable  carelessness  ?  Alas  !  that  so  bright  a 
morning  in  my  spiritual  history  should  not  have  shone  more 
and  more  unto  the  perfect  day ;  that  I  should,  under  any  cir- 
cumstances, have  carelessly  parted  with  this  pearl  of  personal 
experience.  Eight  weeks  transpired — weeks  of  light,  strength, 
love,  and  blessing ;  Conference  came  on ;  I  found  myself  in 
the  midst  of  beloved  brethren;  forgetting  how  easily  the  in- 
finitely Holy  Spirit  might  be  grieved,  I  allowed  myself  to  drift 
into  the  spirit  of  the  hour ;  and,  after  an  indulgence  in  foolish 
joking  and  story-telling,  realized  that  I  had  suffered  serious 
loss.  To  my  next  field  of  labor  I  proceeded  with  consciously 
diminished  spiritual  power." 

His  mind  went  under  a  cloud ;  not  only  did  he  lose  the  evi- 
dence of  perfect  love,  but  there  followed  its  loss  serious  ques- 
tionings as  to  the  possibility  of  the  experience  which  he  had 
professed.  There  is  always  a  tendency  to  depress  the  stand- 
ard of  Truth  to  the  personal  experience.  It  is  not  surprising, 
therefore,  to  find  him  using  the  following  language :  "  Perhaps, 
to  satisfy  my  conscience,  I  began  to  favor  the'  argument  of 
those  who  insisted  that  sanctification,  as  a  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  could  not  involve  an  experience  distinct  from  regenera- 
tion." Such  was  the  candor  and  caution  with  which  he  referred 


INFLUENCE   OF   THE    HEART   ON   OPINIONS.  127 

to  a  subject  which  was  ever  to  him  cause  of  sincere  regret 
The  heart  so  imperceptibly  colors  the  opinions  of  every  man 
that  it  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  have  views  which  are  wholly 
freed  from  its  influence.  It  is  well-nigh  impossible  to  look  at 
Truth  with  clear  discrimination  independently  of  its  effects  upon 
the  affections.  Hence  the  Bible  makes  the  inward  experience 
the  interpreter  of  its  meaning :  "  Whoso  is  born  of  God  hath 
the  witness  in  himself."  There  may  be  a  dogmatic  acceptance 
of  the  doctrine  of  regeneration,  but  there  can  be  no  adequate 
conviction  of  its  reality  until  the  soul  by  the  change  wrought 
in  it  receives  the  attest  of  its  truth.  Talk  as  we  may  of  the 
objective  truth  of  God's  Word  contained  in  the  Holy  Script- 
ures, that  objective  truth  needs  the  accompanying  witness  of  a 
believing,  living  self-consciousness,  as  contained  in  the  Church, 
the  Body  of  Christ,  in  order  that  it  may  be  understood  and  felt 
as  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  unto  salvation.  The  key  which 
unlocks  the  secret  wards  of  its  spiritual  treasury  is  the  experi- 
ence of  the  child  of  God.  When  the  experience  of  the  Church 
is  high,  the  meaning  put  upon  Christian  doctrine  is  positive ; 
when  the  experience  is  low,  the  meaning  is  correspondingly 
vague  ;  the  decay  of  inward  life  is  marked  by  a  decay  of  ortho- 
doxy, and  its  rise  by  a  return  to  evangelical  faith.  Yet  I  can 
not  but  admire  the  conscientious  qualifying  "perhaps"  with 
which  our  friend  states  his  impression  of  the  probable  bias 
which  the  lapse  in  his  spiritual  life  may  have  imparted  to  his 
judgment. 

This  revelation  is  the  more  painful,  in  that  the  session  of 
Conference,  which  should  have  been  the  means  of  establishing 
him  in  the  "  faith,"  became  the  means  of  unsettling  him.  He 
does  not  blame  his  brethren  for  it — only  he  allowed  himself  to 
be  betrayed  into  undue  levity.  Methodist  preachers,  when 
they  come  together  at  the  Conference  after  a  year's  separation, 
feel  the  buoyancy  of  spirit  which  instinctively  arises  from  a  sud- 
den respite  from  pastoral  cares ;  the  gratification  which  is  in- 


128  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

spired  by  the  greeting  of  old  friends.  Their  system  of  itineran- 
cy, according  to  which  no  man  has  any  particular  Church,  and 
in  the  changes  of  which  they  regard  themselves  as  candidates 
for  each  other's  fields  of  labor,  binds  them  into  a  closer  unity 
of  fellowship,  and  "a  fellow-feeling  makes  them  wondrous 
kind ;"  and  so  at  their  great  festival  they  very  naturally  unbend 
in  each  other's  company.  Their  observation  is  over  a  broad 
territory,  they  have  mingled  freely  with  all  classes  of  people, 
their  wits  have  been  sharpened  by  contact  with  the  shrewdest 
of  mankind ;  and,  with  an  infinite  fund  of  anecdote,  it  is  not  sur- 
prising that  their  conversation  should  be  flavored  with  incidents 
both  grave  and  gay. 

It  may  be  one  of  the  provisions  of  divine  benevolence  that  the 
minds  who  see  most  clearly  and  feel  most  deeply  the  sins  and 
misfortunes  of  the  race  do  also  see  and  feel  most  keenly  their 
oddities ;  so  that  nothing  is  more  common  than  for  the  sense 
of  humor  to  be  closely  allied  with  the  sense  of  devotion,  and 
thus  the  gravity  which  would  be  so  weighty  as  to  overwhelm  is 
lightened  by  an  elastic  gayety.  That  this  gift  may  be  abused 
is  unquestionable ;  and  that  Methodistf  ministers,  like  other 
good  people  in  an  unwary  hour,  under  the  sway  of  exuberant 
enjoyment,  may  forget  themselves,  is  possible.  Beyond  doubt 
there  is  too  much  trifling  conversation  at  such  times  among 
them  ;  and  yet  much  depends  upon  the  man  himself,  and  upon 
the  schooling  of  his  conscience.  Whatever  effect  the  conversa- 
tions of  these  "beloved  brethren"  had  upon  themselves,  upon 
Alfred  it  was  deleterious.  His  delicate  conscience,  all  the 
more  susceptible  because  of  his  recent  higher  experience,  and 
for  want  of  free  intercourse  with  his  brethren  since  he  received 
it,  was  wounded,  his  religious  life  in  his  own  estimation  was 
harmed,  and  sank  to  a  lower  plane,  on  which  it  continued 
through  some  years  afterward. 

The  new  circuit  was  found  to  be  very  congenial.  From  a 
lady  who  knew  him  well,  and  between  whom  and  himself  there 


THE    HABITS   OF   CIRCUIT   LIFE.  129 

was  a  pleasant  friendship,  Mrs.  L.  A.  Battershall,  of  New  York, 
I  have  received  the  following  reference  to  his  character  and 
work  at  this  time: 

"  Numbered  with  the  most  pleasant  memories  of  the  by-gone 
are  my  recollections  of  the  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman.  After  his 
appointment  to  Delaware  City  Circuit,  he  was  a  frequent  guest 
at  the  hospitable  home  of  a  relative,  whom  I  was  then  visiting. 
Domiciled  beneath  the  same  roof,  ample  opportunity  was  thus 
afforded  me  of  observing  his  habitual  deportment  in  the  daily 
amenities  of  life.  He  was  richly  endowed  by  nature  with  a 
genial  spirit,  and  an  ease  and  grace  of  manner  which  eminently 
fitted  him  to  shine  as  the  centre  of  the  social  circle,  and  yet  I 
never  knew  him  betrayed  into  a  levity  unbecoming  a  minister 
of  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 

"  Delaware  City  Circuit  at  that  time  embraced  quite  a  por- 
tion of  the  wealthy  agricultural  district  of  New  Castle  County, 
Delaware,  and  was  populated  by  a  people  of  more  than  ordina- 
ry intelligence.  To  all  classes  of  this  population  young  Cook- 
man came  as  the  messenger  of  life.  His  young  heart  burned 
with  love  for  souls.  He  went  from  his  closet  to  the  pulpit,  and, 
thus  panoplied  with  power,  it  is  no  marvel  that  the  multitudes 
which  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath  hung  upon  the  earnest  plead- 
ings of  his  eloquent  lips  for  their  salvation,  regarded  him  as  a 
royal  ambassador  from  the  Court  of  the  Most  High." 

The  year,  according  to  this  testimony,  passed  profitably  and 
pleasantly,  as  he  glided  about  from  village  to  village  and  home 
to  home  among  a  devout  and  hospitable  people.  In  those  days 
it  was  not  customary  for  the  young  preacher  to  have  any  fixed 
boarding-place  on  the  circuit.  No  appropriation  was  made  to 
pay  his  board,  but  he  was  expected  to  "  stay  around  "  among  the 
families,  remaining  longest  where  it  was  most  congenial,  or 
where,  from  the  means  and  kindness  of  the  families,  he  could 
be  rendered  most  comfortable,  and  found  the  greatest  facilities 
for  reading  and  study.  Sometimes  the  young  preacher  would 

Fz 


130  LIFE   OF  ALFRED  COOKMAN. 

be  so  fortunate  as  to  have  one  or  more  such  homes  at  each  of 
the  churches.  Occasionally  he  could  arrange  to  spend  most 
of  his  time  at  one  central  home,  where  his  books  and  wardrobe 
— if  he  were  rich  beyond  the  contents  of  his  saddle-bags — could 
remain,  and  where  he  was  always  made  heartily  welcome.  Noth- 
ing could  exceed  the  cordiality  with  which  the  families  at  these 
homes  greeted  and  entertained  their  young  minister.  The  best 
room  was  at  his  disposal,  the  richest  products  of  farm  and  gar- 
den, the  choicest  poultry  from  the  swarming  broods,  were  put 
before  him.  His  appearance  on  horseback  or  in  sulky  at  the 
road-gate  was  the  signal  for  a  prompt  and  general  raid  on  the 
barn-yard.  Lucky  was  the  chicken  which  could  discern  the 
enemy  from  afar,  and,  timely  warned,  could  make  tracks  for 
some  hiding-place  before  the  fury  of  urchin  or  dog  fell  upon  its 
hapless  head.  At  the  protracted  and  quarterly  meetings  these 
homes  became  the  gathering-points  of  the  ministers  and  official 
members  of  the  circuit,  occasions  of  happy  reunions,  and  of 
deep  spiritual  as  well  as  social  enjoyment. 

At  the  session  of  the  Conference  in  the  spring  of  1848,  Al- 
fred Cookman  was  again  an  applicant  for  admission,  and  was 
received  in  company  with  William  H.  Brisbane,  Charles  J. 
Thompson,  Jacob  Dickerson,  George  Maddux,  Adam  Wallace, 
William  Walton,  William  Major,  John  Hough,  Curtis  F.  Tur- 
ner, Samuel  R.  Gillingham,  Jeremiah  Pastorfield,  David  Price, 
and  William  B.  Mezick.  His  first  appointment  in  the  minutes 
occurs  this  year,  to  Germantown  Circuit,  which  included  Ger- 
mantown  and  Chestnut  Hill.  The  Rev.  James  A.  Massey  was 
his  presiding  elder.  The  circuit  comprised  a  very  beautiful  sub- 
urban region  of  Philadelphia.  Germantown  and  Chestnut  Hill 
have  grown  into  important  stations.  His  labors  were  marked 
by  fidelity  to  duty,  and  all  his  exercises  were  indications  of  the 
future  successes  which  were  destined  to  crown  his  ministry. 

Large  cities  have  a  wondrous  attractive  power  for  all  the 
forces  which  can  augment  their  greatness.  It  is  not  surprising 


KENSINGTON   AND   PORT   RICHMOND.  131 

to  find  Philadelphia  Methodism  speedily  demanding  Alfred 
Cookman  for  its  service.;  In  the  spring  of  1849  he  was  ap- 
pointed as  junior  preacher,  under  the  Rev.  David  Dailey,  to 
Kensington  and  Port  Richmond,  with  the  Rev.  John  P.  Durbin, 
D.D.,  as  the  presiding  elder.  He  was  now  following  closely 
in  the  footsteps  of  his  father — this  having  been  the  first  appoint- 
ment of  that  godly  man — and  the  brick  church  of  Kensington, 
that  was  so  often  vocal  to  the  eloquence  of  the  father  in  his 
youth,  was  again  vocal  with  the  fervent  and  persuasive  tones 
of  the  son.  The  veneration  of  the  young  minister  for  his  father 
was  an  absorbing  passion,  consequently  there  could  be  no  mo- 
tive, next  to  his  reverence  for  the  divine  Master  and  the  sense 
of  responsibility  to  Him,  so  powerful  as  the  consideration  that 
he  was  standing  directly  where  his  father  had  stood,  and  was 
ministering  to  the  very  people  who  had  listened  to  his  burning 
and  instructive  words.  But  little  record  remains  to  us  of  the  ex- 
ercises of  his  mind  or  of  the  character  and  effect  of  his  preaching. 
One  of  the  best  proofs  of  his  success  is  that  he  was  returned 
a  second  year  to  the  same  station,  with  the  privilege  of  sup- 
plying his  work  for  a  part  of  the  year  and  making  a  visit  to 
Europe.  It  was  about  this  time  that  I  first  saw  Alfred  Cook- 
man. Although  he  and  I  had  lived  as  boys  in  Baltimore 
through  some  of  the  same  years,  yet  he  was  so  far  my  senior, 
and  the  charges  to  which  we  severally  belonged  were  so  wide 
apart,  that  it  happened  we  had  never  met.  I  had  heard  so 
much  of  him  that  when  I  learned  he  was  to  preach  at  the 
Charles  Street  Church,  I  hastened  thither,  and  found  myself  a 
curious  hearer  amid  the  crowd  which  thronged  the  building. 
Many  of  those  present  had  been  his  father's  friends,  they  had 
known  him  from  boyhood,  they  comprised  very  many  of  the 
most  highly  cultured  Methodists  of  the  city — all  facts  not  little 
adapted  to  embarrass  the  young  preacher.  His  theme  was  the 
"  Resurrection  of  Christ."  His  action  is  distinctly  before  me 
now,  as  he  described  Peter  and  John  in  their  eager  race  to 


132  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

reach  the  tomb  of  Jesus  after  they  had  heard  the  announce- 
ment of  Mary  that  "  He  had  risen  from  the  dead."  The  preach- 
er was  then  just  past  twenty-two  years,  of  very  handsome,  pleas- 
ing personal  appearance — slight,  erect,  with  a  most  engaging 
countenance,  rendered  doubly  attractive  by  the  massy  black 
hair  which  fell  upon  his  neck  and  .shoulders. 

A  letter  to  his  grandfather  Cookman  immediately  preceding 
the  Conference  of  1850  gives  some  insight  to  his  feelings.  It 
breathes  the  tenderest  pathos,  and  shows  how  well  prepared  he 
was  already  to  fill  the  highly  important  office  of  comforter  to 
the  afflicted : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  March  16,  1850. 

"  I  find  by  a  reference  to  the  newspaper  that  a  steamer  will  leave  New 
York  for  Liverpool  next  Wednesday,  and  although  the  near  approach  of 
Conference  gives  me  an  abundance  to  do,  yet  I  have  managed  to  economize 
an  hour,  which  I  most  joyfully  devote  to  the  delightful  exercise  of  English 
correspondence.  Though  old  ocean's  waters  serve  to  separate  us,  yet  fre- 
quently thought  and  affection,  hand  in  hand,  defying  space  and  distance,  wing 
their  way  to  your  sea-girt  isle,  and  by  the  eye  of  fancy  I  can  see  you  moving 
from  place  to  place  or  attending  to  your  daily  duties.  How  much  I  wish  at 
such  times  that  flesh  and  blood  could  travel  with  the  rapidity  of  thought. 
Often  would  you  find  me  lingering  near,  eager  to  pay  you  those  attentions 
which  not  only  old  age  but  your  recent  heavy  afflictions  so  imperatively  re- 
quire. Believe  me,  dear  grandfather,  when  I  assure  you  that  I  think  of  and 
deeply  sympathize  with  you,  and  when  I  kneel  down  before  Him  who  can  be 
touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities,  I  endeavor  as  best  I  can  to  bear 
you  up  upon  the  wings  of  faith  and  prayer.  The  trials  which  in  the  mys- 
terious providence  of  an  all-wise  God  have  come  upon  you  are  indeed  dis- 
tressing— aye,  almost  overwhelming.  To  bid  farewell  to  those  as  dear  to 
you  as  life  itself,  to  gaze  upon  their  countenances  for  the  last  time,  not  know- 
ing that  you  will  ever  again  meet  with  them  in  the  flesh,  to  be  left  alone 
with  no  relative  to  offer  his  tender  sympathies  or  kind  attentions — all  this 
certainly  must  have  been  agonizing  in  the  extreme.  At  such  a  period,  when 
the  vanity  of  every  thing  sublunary  must  be  seen  and  felt,  how  comforting 
and  encouraging  to  remember  that  in  the  blessed  Saviour  we  have  'a  Friend 
that  stickcth  closer  than  a  brother ;'  One  that  will  never  leave  nor  forsake 
us,  who  will  stand  by  us  in  six  trials,  and  not  forsake  us  in  the  seventh.  I 
have  no  doubt  but  that  you  have  personally  experienced  the  preciousness  of 


CONFERENCE   STUDIES.  133 

these  scriptural  assurances.  Under  the  shadow  of  His  wing  you  have  found 
a  covert  from  the  stormy  blast,  and  not  only  so,  but  perhaps  with  holy  tri- 
umph are  able  to  affirm  that '  tribulation  worketh  patience  ;  and  patience,  ex- 
perience ;  and  experience,  hope  :  and  hope  maketh  not  ashamed,  because  the 
love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  my  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost  given  unto  me.' 
These  light  afflictions,  which  are  but  for  a  moment,  are  intended  to  work  out 
for  you  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory.  I  would  gladly, 
if  possible,  pour  the  balm  of  Christian  consolation  into  your  bruised  and 
bleeding  heart  But  I  rejoice  to  remember  that  there  is  One  who  regards 
you  with  more  than  a  mother's  love ;  who  behind  a  frowning  providence  is 
hiding  a  smiling  face  ;  who  encouragingly  whispers  all  things  shall  work  to- 
gether for  good  to  those  who  put  their  trust  in  God.  May  his  richest  bless- 
ing rest  abundantly  upon  you,  and  although  you  are  descending  the  hill  of 
life,  yet  with  the  everlasting  arms  beneath  and  around  you,  may  you  realize 
that  your  path  shineth  brighter  and  brighter  unto  the  perfect  day. 

"  In  a  little  more  than  a  week  the  Philadelphia  Conference  will  assemble  in 
our  city.  If  all  should  be  well,  I  expect  during  the  session  to  be  admitted  to 
the  order  of  deacon  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  I  have  been  endeav- 
oring to  preach  Christ  and  Him  crucified  for  upward  of  three  years,  and  re- 
alize an  increasing  love  for  my  work.  Now  that  I  am  to  be  received  into 
full  connection,  I  would  dedicate  myself  more  unreservedly  to  God,  and  in 
the  strength  of  grace  resolve  to  spend  and  be  spent  more  fully  in  the  service 
of  my  Heavenly  Master.  Oh  !  that  with  the  laying  on  of  hands  there  may 
be  a  special  anointing  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  I  may  indeed  become  a 
flaming  herald  of  the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords. 

"  My  studies  occupy  much  of  my  time  and  attention.  Watson's  Institutes 
(with  which  you  are  quite  familiar)  is  perhaps  the  most  difficult  work  we 
have  to  digest  preparatory  to  examination.  There  is  such  a  number  of 
points  and  multiplicity  of  theories  to  treasure  up  that  I  find  it  requires  a 
little  extra  attention.  As  a  production  I  regard  it  as  a  masterpiece,  an  en- 
during monument  to  the  cherished  memory  of  its  distinguished  author.  Our 
examiners  have,  by  the  direction  of  the  bishops,  put  into  our  hands  a  vol- 
ume entitled  the  Principles  of  Morality,  by  Jonathan  Dymond,  who,  if  I  mis- 
take not,  is  an  English  Quaker.  The  work,  though  embodying  some  excel- 
lent truths,  contains  much  that  is  unquestionably  heterodox.  The  author 
argues  strongly  in  advocacy  of  the  doctrines  peculiar  to  the  Society  of 
Friends,  such  as  quiet  worship,  absence  of  all  excitement,  unpaid  ministry, 
etc.,  etc.  I  acknowledge  that  I  have  been  considerably  astonished  during 
its  perusal  that  it  should  have  received  the  sanction  of  our  Episcopacy,  and 
Can  only  account  for  it  on  the  ground  of  inadvertence.  I  had  intended  to 


134  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

give  you  some  account  in  this  letter  of  the  slavery  excitement,  which  has 
been  shaking  the  temple  of  our  liberties  to  its  very  foundations,  but  will  be 
obliged,  from  the  want  of  time  and  space,  to  defer  it  until  a  more  convenient 
season.  After  the  adjournment  of  Conference  I  shall  be  more  disengaged, 
and  will  embrace  an  early  opportunity  to  pen  with  more  care  another,  and, 
I  trust,  more  interesting  letter  than  this.  Mother,  brother,  and  little  sister 
were  all  well  when  I  saw  them  a  day  or  two  since,  and  join  me,  I  am  sure,  in 
the  tenderest  love  to  yourself  and  all  other  English  friends." 

Fortunately  the  student  of  Watson's  Institutes  in  this  in- 
stance had  had  a  training  at  school  which  qualified  him  to 
grapple  with  its  "number  of  points  and  multiplicity  of  theories." 
The  examinations  of  the  second  year  all  satisfactorily  passed, 
the  probationer  was  admitted  to  the  Conference  and  elected  to 
deacon's  orders.  Together  with  all  the  members  of  his  class 
(except  one,  whose  place  was  supplied  by  the  addition  of  Henry 
Hurn),  he  was  ordained  deacon  by  Bishop  Waugh.  There  sub- 
sisted between  Alfred  Cookman  and  the  members  of  his  class 
a  close  and  loving  devotion  through  his  whole  career. 

To  young  Methodist  ministers  the  companionship  of  the  four 
years'  course  in  the  Conference  has  much  the  same  influence 
on  after-life  as  that  of  the  college  or  theological  seminary  has 
upon  those.who  are  students  in  such  institutions.  This  "course," 
with  its  associations  and  its  drill,  however  imperfect,  is  a  feature 
of  Methodism  not  understood  by  many  who  have  wondered  at 
the  slowness  of  the  Methodists  to  adopt  theological  schools, 
and  their  readiness  to  admit  to  the  pastorate  young  men  of 
comparatively  little  learning.  Young  preachers  can  be  con- 
tinued indefinitely  on  trial,  till  voted  to  deacon's  orders,  or  they 
can  be  discontinued  before  this,  if  in  the  judgment  of  the  Con- 
ference they  do  not  give  proofs  of  original  capacity  and  of  pro- 
ficiency in  study.  So  that  it  is  a  fair  inference  that  by  the  time 
a  licentiate  is  voted  to  orders  he  has  become  a  well-informed 
minister. 

As  I  have  already  intimated,  Mr.  Cookman  was  returned  this 
year  to  Kensington  and  Port  Richmond.  There  awaited  him 


VOYAGE   TO    EUROPE.  i^e 

now  one  of  the  most  delightful  episodes  of  his  life.  It  was  de- 
termined that  he  should  visit  his  aged  grandfather  in  England. 
The  veteran  himself  strongly  urged  the  visit,  and  it  was  thought 
the  visit  would  be  not  only  a  gratification  to  him  in  his  ad- 
vanced years,  but  also  that  at  this  period  of  the  young  minis- 
ter's life  it  would  be  of  incalculable  advantage  to  his  future  ca- 
reer. There  is  an  education,  a  breadth  and  definiteness  of  view, 
a  knowledge  of  the  world,  which  can  be  obtained  in  travel  which 
is  possible  in  no  other  way.  The  preparations  for  the  voyage 
were  rapidly  hurried  forward,  and  in  the  month  of  July  Mr. 
Cookman  sailed  in  the  steamer  Europa  from  New  York  for  Liv- 
erpool. It  was  with  no  little  trepidation  that  the  good  mother 
risked  her  dearest  treasure  once  more  on  the  uncertain  deep, 
and  that  the  son  launched  upon  the  waste  of  waters  which  had 
engulfed  his  beloved  father ;  but  it  was  deemed  the  order  of 
God,  and  so  both  took  courage,  as  only  thus  a  filial  duty  could 
be  discharged.  It  was  hard  to  leave  friends  behind,  but  grand- 
father, the  best  friend  next  to  mother  since  the  father's  loss,  and 
old  England,  the  "  sea-girt  isle,"  were  beyond. 

To  his  mother,  Mrs.  Mary  Cookman  : 

"STEAMER  EUROPA,  Friday  morn,  July  19,  1850. 

"  Thinking  that  you  will  feel  interested  in  hearing  of  my  progress,  I  avail 
myself  of  the  present  opportunity  to  pen  a  few  lines,  expecting  to  mail  my 
letter  this  afternoon  in  Halifax.  Concerning  my  movements  up  to  twelve 
o'clock  on  Wednesday,  George  can  give  you  all  possible  information.  At 
that  hour  I  bade  him  farewell,  and  with  my  fellow-passengers  started  on 
my  voyage  across  the  blue  Atlantic.  As  we  passed  down  New  York  Bay,  I 
was  much  interested  in  viewing  different  objects  upon  the  shore.  Here  was 
a  magnificent  edifice,  with  its  solid  and  majestic  columns,  its  symmetrical 
and  beautiful  proportions ;  there  an  angry-looking  fort,  with  its  gaping  iron 
mouths,  ready  to  roar  at  the  presumptuous  invader  of  the  land  of  the  free 
and  the  home  of  the  brave.  As  we  passed  Sandy  Hook,  we  parted  with 
our  pilot  (the  last  link  that  seemed  to  bind  us  to  the  shore),  and  put  out 
fairly  to  sea.  By  this  time  I  had  formed  an  acquaintance  with  one  or  two 
of  the  passengers,  and  had  already  enjoyed  much  pleasant  conversation. 
The  wind  being  pretty  fresh,  occasioned  some  roughness  of  the  water,  and 


136  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

this,  together  with  the  combined  influence  of  our  sails  and  engine,  caused 
the  boat  to  roll  considerably. 

"Now,  then,  for  the  tug  of  war.  As  the  ship  would  rise,  I  would  not  suf- 
fer the  least  inconvenience,  but  when,  immediately  after,  she  would  make  a 
lurch,  there  seemed  to  be  a  strange  nervousness  of  feeling  in  the  region  of 
digestion.  After  a  while  a  disagreeable  dimness  began  to  steal  over  my  vis- 
ion. I  fought  like  a  lion.  At  four  o'clock  the  dinner-bell  rang,  and  think- 
ing that  perhaps  a  little  food  would  serve  as  a  barricade  on  the  field  of  bat- 
tle, behind  which  I  might  ensconce  myself  from  the  attack  of  the  foe,  I  ven- 
tured to  eat  a  little.  A  very  few  mouthfuls  served  to  suffice,  for,  finding  my- 
self driven  from  my  position,  I  resolved  on  retreat.  Down  I  went  to  my 
state-room,  the  enemy  following  me.  First  he  got  me  on  my  back,  then  he 
seemed  to  turn  every  thing  round  within  me,  then  he  commanded  me  to  re- 
store what  I  had  so  insultingly  swallowed  at  dinner-time,  and,  will  you  be- 
lieve me,  I  felt  obliged  to  yield.  Up  it  came,  with  a  good  deal  more,  and  I 
left  the  treasure  at  his  feet.  After  so  fierce  a  contest  and  so  signal  a  defeat, 
I  thought  I  might  lie  down.  As  seven  o'clock  (supper-time),  however,  roll- 
ed round,  I  inscribed  on  my  banner,  '  Often  beaten,  but  still  unconquered,' 
and  staggered  up  again  to  the  charge.  A  little  toast  and  tea  was  all  I  ven- 
tured to  take,  and  yet  the  enemy,  as  if  maddened  by  my  obstinate  resistance, 
laid  upon  me  a  heavier  hand  than  ever,  and  down  I  went  a  second  time. 
What  a  trouncing  I  got !  I  gave  him  back  all — aye,  more  than  all.  I  shed 
tears,  I  groaned,  I  rolled,  and  at  last,  with  some  difficulty,  got  to  bed — not 
to  sleep,  however.  During  the  night,  with  the  motion  of  the  boat,  I  pitched 
from  side  to  side,  and  as  morning  dawned  rose  and  went  forth  to  walk  the 
deck.  During  yesterday,  although  feeling  somewhat  squeamish,  I  con- 
cluded myself  decidedly  better,  and  ventured  to  partake  very  moderately  of 
food.  Last  night  I  slept  gloriously,  and  this  morning  began  to  feel  like  my- 
self again.  I  can  now  just  perceive  the  aforementioned  foe  in  the  distance, 
almost  out  of  sight,  but  now  and  then  turning  round  to  know  whether  it 
would  not  be  well  to  return.  From  suffering  experience,  I  think  I  know 
something  respecting  sea-sickness,  and  feel  it  in  my  heart  to  say  that  here- 
after I  will  cheerfully  relinquish  my  share  to  any  other  for  a  very  trifling 
consideration. 

"  Our  boat  is  a  splendid  one.  Her  officers  are  gentlemanly  and  skillful, 
her  crew  is  orderly  and  obedient,  the  servants  are  attentive  and  obliging, 
and  our  accommodations  are  all  that  could  be  desired.  At  half-past  eight 
we  breakfast,  at  half-past  twelve  enjoy  lunch,  at  four  sit  down  to  dinner,  and 
at  seven  drink  our  tea.  The  dinner  service  is  certainly  splendid,  and  the 
food  unexceptionable.  We  have  every  variety  and  any  quantity.  My  state- 


DEVOUT  FEELINGS  ON  SHIPBOARD.  137 

room  is  not  quite  as  far  forward  as  I  should  like,  and  yet  its  situation  back 
is  not  without  advantage,  since  there  is  an  absence  from  noise  and  a  retire- 
ment which  is  very  desirable  and  delightful  on  shipboard  ;  besides,  I  have  it 
all  to  myself,  and  you  know  from  experience  that  this  is  a  desideratum. 
Our  passengers,  though  mostly  foreigners,  are  very  kind  and  gentlemanly. 
Perhaps  there  is  a  little  too  much  liquor  drank,  and  last  night  I  observed 
some  card-playing.  With  two  or  three  I  have  formed  rather  an  intimate 
acquaintance,  and  find  them  to  be  gentlemanly,  communicative,  and  affec- 
tionate. 

"  Our  noble  steamer  has  been  urging  on  her  course  steadily  since  our  de- 
parture from  New  York.  Yesterday,  notwithstanding  rather  unfavorable 
weather,  she  accomplished  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  After  we 
leave  Halifax,  and  become  a  little  lighter  by  the  consumption  of  coal,  I  ap- 
prehend her  speed  will  be  very  considerably  increased.  Though  sailing  on 
the  vast  ocean,  with  naught  but  sky  above  and  sea  around,  I  rejoice  to  say  I 
realize  the  presence  of  my  Heavenly  Father.  Indeed,  I  think  I  feel,  as  I 
never  felt  before,  my  dependence  upon  Him  for  life  and  every  thing  else. 
I  desire  to  remain  momentarily  beneath  the  shadow  of  His  almighty  wing, 
for  there  I  am  sure  nothing  wrong  can  befall  me.  Thus  far  I  have  accom- 
plished but  little  in  the  way  of  reading  and  writing ;  indeed,  my  sea-sick- 
ness would  not  allow  of  it.  I  hope,  at  least,  to  keep  up  a  short  diary,  or, 
as  the  sailors  say,  log.  The  weather  in  this  latitude  is  foggy  and  cold. 
Last  night  I  wrapped  myself  in  a  blanket,  and  during  the  day  find  my  over- 
coat no  encumbrance.  I  spend  much  of  my  time  thinking  of  you  ;  you  are 
as  dear  to  me  as  my  own  life.  May  God  bless  and  mercifully  preserve  you 
all.  Pray  for  me.  My  sheet  is  full,  and  I  must  close  my  letter,  written  with 
some  difficulty,  owing  to  the  motion  of  the  boat  and  the  noise  of  the  ma- 
chinery. Give  my  best  love  to  brothers,  little  sister,  and  all  friends." 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE   FOREIGN   TOUR. — ENGLISH   SCENERY  AND   FRIENDS. 

ON  Sunday,  July  29th,  he  arrived  at  Liverpool.  His  own 
descriptions  are  so  full  and  vivid  as  to  supersede  any  efforts 
of  mine  to  describe  the  delight  with  which  he  set  foot  on 
English  soil.  He  had  been  educated  all  his  life  to  believe  ev- 
ery thing  was  grand  and  beautiful  in  England,  the  home  of  his 
ancestors ;  he  had  been  taught  so  to  revere  his  kindred,  had 
been  told  so  many  noble  things  of  them,  that  it  was  natural  he 
should  expect  much,  and  hence  should  be  correspondingly 
gratified  if  his  ardent  expectations  were  more  than  fulfilled. 
Though  accustomed  to  the  thought  of  the  genuine  worth  of  his 
kindred  at  Hull,  the  social  and  material  elegance  in  which  they 
lived,  yet  reared,  as  he  had  been,  in  the  modest  surroundings 
of  a  Methodist  preacher's  son,  he  was  liardly  prepared  for  all 
the  refinement  which  was  to  greet  him.  Nothing  could  be  more 
pleasing  than  the  letters  so  artlessly  detailing  his  observations 
and  impressions. 

To  the  mother  and  family  at  home : 

"STEPNEY  LODGE,  HULL,  YORKSHIRE,  ) 
Monday  evening,  July  29,  1850.      ) 

"  I  am  in  a  perfect  ecstasy !  my  joy  is  unbounded  and  uncontrollable  !  my 
only  fear  is  that  I  will  wake  up  and  find  it  all  a  dream.  I  am  in  Hull ;  nay, 
more,  I  am  at  my  dear  grandfather's  residence.  Would  you  believe  it?  I 
can  scarce  realize  it  myself.  And  now  I  shall  endeavor  to  conquer  emotion 
a  little,  and,  as  calmly  as  I  can,  go  back  and  detail  my  progress  since  my  de- 
parture from  Halifax,  for  in  that  town  I  mailed  a  letter  for  you  written  upon 
the  ocean  after  we  left  New  York.  I  will  not  advert  to  the  routine  of  our 
proceedings  on  shipboard  ;  if  you  should  feel  interested  in  any  thing  of  that 
nature,  have  recourse  to  my  excellent  friend  and  host,  viz.,  Brother  J.  Baily, 


SUNDAY    IN    LIVERPOOL.  139 

and  you  can  readily  obtain  the  desired  information  in  a  letter  which  I  shall 
mail  in  the  same  steamer  which  will  convey  this.  Suffice  it  to  say  that,  after 
a  prosperous  and  most  delightful  voyage  of  not  quite  eleven  days,  no  storm 
having  occurred  and  the  wind  having  continued  favorable  nearly  all  the  way, 
we  reached  Liverpool  on  Sunday  a  little  after  two  o'clock.  I  immediately 
proceeded  to  the  George  Hotel,  a  magnificent  establishment ;  when,  having 
adjusted  matters  a  little,  I  sallied  forth,  sighing  most  for  religious  privi- 
leges, for  Christian  communion.  As  I  passed  up  the  street,  I  providentially 
met  with  a  gentleman  whom  I  took  to  be  a  Wesleyan  from  his  plain  and 
neat  costume.  Addressing  him,  I  inquired  if  he  could  direct  me  in  my  search 
for  a  Wesleyan  chapel  ?  Immediately  informing  me  that  he  was  connected 
with  that  excellent  body,  he  kindly  proposed  to  conduct  me  to  the  place  of 
my  pursuit.  Arm-in-arm  we  passed  up  the  street,  enjoying  pleasant  conver- 
sation, and  came  to  Mount  Pleasant  Chapel,  one  of  the  oldest  churches  in 
Liverpool.  The  Sabbath-school  was  about  to  close,  and,  by  request,  I  united 
with  them  in  prayer,  and  felt,  indeed,  access  to  our  Father  through  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

"  Yielding  to  a  most  urgent  and  importunate  invitation  to  accompany  this 
brother  home  to  tea,  at  six  I  went  with  him  to  Stanhope  Chapel,  when  a 
brother  Roebuck  preached  a  most  capital  sermon.  More  of  this  anon. 
The  service  charmed  me,  but  about  this  we  will  have  one  of  our  old-fash- 
ioned tffe-b-tetes  upon  my  return.  After  the  benediction  I  went  to  Dr.  Raf- 
fles's  church,  and  after  this  to  a  Mr.  Fallows's,  a  most  evangelical  and  excel- 
lent member  of  the  Establishment.  Having  accomplished  as  much  and  en- 
dured more  than  I  anticipated  in  the  way  cf  church-going,  I  returned  to  my 
hotel,  and  about  ten  retired — not,  however,  to  sleep.  The  circumstances  of 
the  evening  as  well  as  the  prospects  of  the  morrow  drove  slumber  from  my 
eyes.  However,  not  to  linger  by  the  way,  morning  dawned,  and  an  early 
hour  found  me  at  the  custom-house,  where  the  delay  and  tardiness  of  the 
government  officers  greatly  provoked  me.  Stating  my  situation,  and  mani- 
festing much  anxiety,  I  secured  my  trunks,  and  drove  with  all  possible  speed 
for  the  railway  -  station,  and  got  there  just  fourteen  minutes  past  nine 
o'clock,  one  minute  too  soon  for  the  Hull  train.  Off  we  flew  at  the  rate  of 
thirty  miles  an  hour,  through  first  a  manufacturing  and  afterward  an  agri- 
cultural district,  through  tunnels — one  of  them  four  miles  long — under  and 
over  noble  bridges,  until  at  about  three  o'clock  we  entered  the  station-house 
at  Hull. 

"  I  ascertained  by  inquiry  as  well  as  by  reference  to  the  directory  that 
Mr.  Holmes's  residence  was  quite  near.  Taking  my  carpet-bag  in  my  hand, 
I  went  round  and  found  a  double  mansion,  elegantly  furnished,  with  hand- 


140  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

some  park  and  garden,  and  immediately  rung  the  bell.  A  servant  appear- 
ed. I  inquired  for  Mrs.  Holmes,  ascertained  she  was  in,  was  asked  for  my 
name,  I  replied  a  'stranger;'  the  maid  disappearing,  my  own  aunt  made 
her  appearance.  I  observed,  'An  unexpected  visit  from  a  stranger;  look 
at  me,  and  tell  me  if  you  know  me.'  She  looked,  and  immediately  replied, 
'  Cookman !'  I  was  then  introduced  into  the  drawing-room,  and  cousin  af- 
ter cousin  came  in — among  the  rest  two  of  aunt  Smith's  daughters  :  all  fine, 
noble-looking  girls.  Shall  I  say  I  spent  a  pleasant  hour  with  them  ?  It 
was  more,  infinitely  more  ;  no  adjective  is  strong  enough  to  express  the  joy 
I  realized.  We  sat  around  the  tea-table,  and  conversed  about  the  past  and 
the  present,  and  oh,  it  was  glorious !  There  are  many  little  facts  and  cir- 
cumstances I  could  detail,  but  I  must  forbear.  After  an  early  tea  I  ordered 
a  cab,  and,  after  kissing  one  of  my  fair  cousins  who  leaves  in  the  morning  for 
boarding-school  in  London,  I  proceeded  to  Stepney  Lodge,  where  dear 
grandfather,  I  am  most  happy  to  say,  still  resides. 

"  As  I  approached  the  mansion  my  feelings  were  indescribable — a  thousand 
reminiscences  rushed  irresistibly  upon  my  mind  and  heart.  I  rung  the  bell, 
and  immediately  the  housekeeper  made  her  appearance,  and  told  me  that 
grandfather  had  gone  to  town  to  meet  the  property  committee.  I  then  re- 
solved I  would  fill  up  the  interim  with  the  scrawl  which  I  very  much  fear 
you  will  be  unable  to  read.  I  am  now  waiting  for  him.  Stepney  Lodge  is  a 
lovely  spot ;  I  glance  out  of  the  window  and  there  is  a  small  park,  bounded 
by  a  beautiful  hedge  ;  to  the  left  is  an  artificial  pond,  surrounded  on  my  right 
by  a  series  of  walks  through  noble  trees  and  luxuriant  shrubbery ;  and  be- 
hind, a  garden  abounding  with  all  kinds  of  fruit.  I  went  out  a  little  while 
ago  and  tasted  gooseberries  the  size  of  a  walnut,  ripe  raspberries,  the  largest 
strawberries  I  ever  saw  without  exception,  red  and  black  currants,  and  saw 
pears,  apples,  and  any  quantity  of  ripe  grapes  in  his  summer-house.  It  is  a 
paradise,  glorious,  enchanting.  The  house  is  old-fashioned  and  exceedingly 
comfortable,  containing  every  thing  that  heart  could  wish.  Over  the  man- 
tel-piece of  the  room  in  which  I  am  writing  hangs  a  likeness  of  dear  father — 
excellent,  decidedly  the  best  I  have  seen.  Before  me  is  the  portrait  of  uncle 
Alfred,  from  which  the  picture  we  have  is  taken.  *  *  * 

"  The  Conference  commences  on  Wednesday  in  London.  Just  think  of  it ; 
how  fortunate  !  Thus  I  can  attend  its  sessions,  and  at  the  same  time  visit 
the  lions  of  this  world-renowned  city.  Thus  far  Providence  has  smiled  upon 
me,  and  every  thing  has  turned  out  just  as  my  wishes  would  dictate.  Shall  I 
be  ungrateful  ?  Rather  let  me,  by  a  renewal  of  my  spiritual  covenant,  prove 
that  I  am  not  insensible  to  the  thousand  blessings  which  my  Heavenly  Fa- 
ther so  indulgently  lavishes  upon  unworthy  me.  Oh,  I  feel  I  can  not  be 


HULL. THE   GRANDFATHER.  141 

thankful  enough  !  My  cup  runneth  over  with  mingled  happiness  and  grati- 
tude. John  Holmes,  the  oldest  son,  is  a  fine  fellow — tall,  with  rather  an  in- 
telligent face,  and  certainly  very  affectionate ;  but,  indeed,  I  can  not  talk 
about  my  cousins  now ;  my  feelings  will  not  permit. 

"Grandfather  has  not  yet  arrived.  After  an  interview  with  him  I  will 
close  this  sheet  and  immediately  mail  it  for  Liverpool,  in  order  that  it  may 
be  in  time  for  the  Pacific's  mail,  which  steamer  sails  on  Wednesday.  Let 
me  just  now  say  I  am  delighted  with  England.  My  expectations  were  exalted, 
and  they  certainly  have  been  more  than  realized.  Grandfather  is  coming ; 
I  see  his  tall,  erect,  and  commanding  figure.  He  has  an  umbrella  under  his 
arm,  and  walks  both  firmly  and  fast.  He  enters,  but  does  not  know  me. 
Gradually  I  reveal  the  fact  that  his  grandson  stands  before  him.  He  mani- 
fests the  greatest  delight.  During  the  evening,  until  about  half-past  ten,  we 
sat  together  conversing  about  persons  and  things ;  when,  taking  my  candle 
in  my  hand,  I  retired  to  my  room,  and  received  from  him  a  most  affectionate 
good-night.  He  still  dresses  in  the  old  English  costume — short  clothes, 
white  cravat — and  is  altogether  the  finest-looking  old  gentleman  that  I  have 
seen  in  England,  or  that  I  have  ever  met  with.  He  is  splendid ;  oh,  how 
happy  I  am  in  his  society !  This  morning  he  goes  to  perform  his  duties 
upon  the  bench.  He  has  a  charming  residence.  *  *  *  I  have  entered  into 
particulars,  because  I  know  that  they  will  interest  you.  Much  more  I  have 
to  say,  but  I  must  close.  I  have  seen  Mr.  Kenwood,  a  noble  old  gentleman, 
so  kind  and  affectionate.  He  sends  his  affectionate  regards,  as  do  all  the 
others." 

The  following  letter  from  a  niece  of  Mrs.  Cookman  will  be 
read  with  interest : 

"  HULL,  August  2,  1850. 

"  Your  son  tells  me  that  you  are  expecting  a  letter  by  the  mail  which 
leaves  this  afternoon,  and  will  be  very  much  disappointed  if  you  do  not  hear 
from  or  of  him,  so  he  has  deputed  me  to  be  his  secretary.  I  wish  his  choice 
had  fallen  on  a  more  able  person,  for  I  am  not  much  accustomed  to  or  fond 
of  letter-writing  ;  but  I  doubt  not  any  news  of  your  son  will  be  to  you  most 
acceptable,  so  I  will  do  my  best  to  tell  you  his  present  whereabouts  and  future 
course.  He  and  my  uncle  Holmes  went  this  morning  to  Sheffield,  where 
they  will  spend  a  few  hours,  thence  going  to  Doncaster,  will  stay  all  night 
there.  Poor  mamma  will,  I  know,  be  very  much  dissatisfied  that  only  one 
night  is  allotted  to  her,  but  my  cousin  has  promised  to  preach  in  Thornton 
Street  Chapel  twice  next  Sunday,  so  he  is  obliged  to  return  to  Hull  on  Sat- 
urday afternoon ;  he  leaves  here  again  on  Tuesday  for  London,  visiting 


142  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Birmingham,  Bristol,  and  Oxford  on  his  way.  He  will,  of  course,  stay  a 
night  in  Bristol  to  see  my  aunt  Hannah  and  her  family.  From  London  he 
is  going  to  Paris,  Brussels,  and  Antwerp,  returning  about  next  Saturday  fort- 
night to  Hull,  where  he  will  preach  on  the  following  day  in  Waltham  Street 
and  George  Street  Chapels.  I  do  not  think  he  has  yet  made  up  his  mind 
whether  or  not  to  visit  Scotland.  I  wish  you  could  see  our  family  party 
gathered  around  the  table,  endeavoring  to  fix  his  tour,  with  maps  and  railway 
guides  before  us;  you  would  be  quite_amused  to  hear  first  one  proposing 
one  plan,  then  a  second  another ;  one  says  he  ought  to  see  this  town ;  anoth- 
er, that  is  the  best  route ;  while  my  cousin  Alfred  sits  quietly  looking  on,  and 
listens  to  all  in  turn. 

"  Now  I  have  told  you  what  I  know  about  my  cousin's  proceedings,  I 
must  tell  you  how  delighted  we  all  are  to  have  him  among  us ;  our  only 
regret  is  that  our  eyes  behold  one  and  not  all  our  cousins,  with  their  dear 
mother,  but  we  are  at  present  satisfied  with  what  we  have,  and  hope  at  a 
future  day  to  see  some,  if  not  all,  of  your  family  in  England.  As  we  can 
not  know  them  personally,  we  have  endeavored  to  do  so  by  report.  Al- 
fred yesterday  morning  brought  their  portraits  from  Mr.  Cookman's,  so  we 
all  tried  to  judge  their  characters  by  their  faces,  and  made  Alfred  tell  us 
their  several  characteristics,  till  I  could  almost  fancy  I  know  my  hitherto 
stranger  cousins.  As  for  John  Holmes,  he  has  taken  such  a  fancy  to  little 
Mary,  that  he  proposes  sending  me  his  own  sister  Annie  and  exchanging 
me  for  his  cousin ;  but  that  I  suppose  you  will  hardly  agree  to.  I  asked 
Alfred  yesterday  if  he  had  any  message  to  send  to  you,  and  his  answer  was, 
'Tell  my  mother  that  my  cup  of  happiness  is  overflowing;'  indeed,  he  re- 
ceives so  many  attentions,  and  is  so  much  thought  of  by  his  father's  friends, 
that  it  will  be  a  wonder  if  he  is  not  quite  spoiled  before  he  returns  to 
Philadelphia.  Mr.  Cookman  and  he  dined  with  us  last  Wednesday ;  the 
old  gentleman  seems  quite  pleased  with  and  proud  of  his  grandson.  He 
went  with  us  in  the  evening  to  hear  him  preach  in  Thornton  Street  Chapel, 
and  appeared  quite  delighted  with  his  sermon.  And  now,  my  dear  aunt,  I 
must  draw  my  letter  to  a  close ;  in  order  to  make  it  valuable,  my  aunt  has 
half  promised  to  cross  it,  so  on  her  return  from  the  town,  if  she  has  time 
before  the  post  leaves,  I  shall  request  her  to  do  so. 

"My  aunt  Holmes  has  just  come  in  from  the  town,  but  says  it  is  impossi- 
ble for  her  to  find  time  to  write  even  a  few  lines  this  afternoon,  but  I  am  to 
tell  you  that  she  is  quite  charmed  with  her  nephew." 

It  seems,  then,  that  grandfather,  aunts,  and  cousins  were  all 
"charmed  "  with  the  American  cousin.  Such  a  picture  of  him 


KINDRED. — DONCASTER,  ENGLAND.  143 

and  his  surroundings  from  the  pen  of  a  maiden  cousin  must 
have  been  very  grateful  to  the  mother's  feelings.  His  visit  was 
not  only  busy  with  sight-seeing  and  social  joys,  but  also  with 
engagements  to  preach.  In  the  very  chapels  where  his  father, 
when  but  a  year  or  two  older  than  he,  first  thrilled  the  hearts 
of  his  neighbors,  the  son  now  preached  to  the  delight  of  grand- 
father and  all.  To  the  noble  parent  it  must  have  been  as 
though  his  own  son  were  alive  from  the  dead. 
To  his  mother : 

"  STEPNEY  LODGE,  HULL,  August  5, 1850. 

"  I  should  have  written  to  you  the  latter  part  of  last  week  but  for  the  mul- 
tiplicity and  urgency  of  my  engagements.  The  Hull  people  have  made  quite 
a  lion  of  me,  and  hence  I  am  expected  to  exhibit  myself  on  all  convenient 
occasions,  and  occasionally  interest  them  by  my  American  roaring.  My 
cousin  Ella  Smith,  however,  very  kindly  consented  to  do  what  only  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  case  prevented  me  from  doing,  and  that  was  to  transmit 
a  letter  by  last  Saturday's  steamer.  I  have  now  seen  pretty  much  all  my 
relatives  in  this  part  of  England,  and  I  speak  sincerely  when  I  say  that  they 
not  only  answer  but  far  exceed  my  most  sanguine  expectations.  On  Friday 
last  I  visited  Doncaster,  my  mother's  native  town,  taking  Sheffield  on  my 
route.  Arriving  at  the  station,  I  found  aunt  Smith,  uncle  John,  and  his 
lady,  in  waiting  for  me.  After  a  most  cordial  greeting  we  proceeded  to  Ar- 
thur Smith's,  at  Sunny  Bar,  where  I  partook  of  some  refreshments,  and 
then  sallied  forth  with  uncle  John  to  see  the  place.  We  visited  the  old 
church  where  you  worshiped  in  childhood,  saw  the  house  in  which  you 
were  born,  the  residence  of  grandma  from  which  you  went  when  you  were 
married,  aunt  Elenor's  former  home,  called  upon  her  brother,  Dr.  Murray, 
and  had  some  conversation  with  him,  continued  our  walk  as  far  as  the  cele- 
brated Doncaster  race-course,  looked  at  the  deaf  and  dumb  institution  in 
the  immediate  vicinity,  and  about  six  o'clock  returned  to  Sunny  Bar.  For- 
getting the  copse  of  trees,  or  rather  the  name  of  the  place  which  aunt  men- 
tioned, I  plucked  a  few  sprigs  of  grass  from  a  plot  in  front  of  the  old  home, 
and  also  secured  a  few  leaves  from  some  shrubbery  immediately  before  the 
house  in  which  you  were  living  at  the  time  of  your  marriage. 

"  In  the  evening  we  had  a  family  party  at  aunt  Smith's.  All  the  sons  ex- 
cept Theophilus  were  present,  and  until  two  o'clock  the  following  morning 
we  remained  together  enjoying  familiar  conversation.  They  are  a  noble  set, 
treated  me  like  a  prince,  and  would  only  part  with  me  on  Saturday  morn- 


144  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

ing  with  the  promise  that  I  would  endeavor  to  visit  them  again.  I  was 
particularly  pleased  with  uncle  John  :  he  is  affable,  gentlemanly,  very  intel- 
ligent, consistently  pious,  and  exceedingly  affectionate.  *  *  *  I  shall  have 
much  to  tell  you  about  Doncaster  upon  my  return,  a  town  I  have  been 
better  pleased  with  than  any  I  have  seen  in  England  yet ;  indeed,  the  road 
in  the  direction  of  the  race-course,  with  its  noble  trees  and  splendid  resi- 
dences, is  almost  unsurpassed  by  any  thing  I  have  ever  seen. 

"  On  Saturday  I  returned  to  Hull,  and  yesterday  preached  in  Great 
Thornton  Street  to  overflowing  houses.  In  the  evening  I  think  there  were 
at  least  3000  people  in  the  chapel,  and  multitudes  went  away  who  could 
not  even  obtain  a  foothold.  They  had  me  the  day  before  placarded  upon 
the  public  corners  and  in  the  shop-windows, '  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman,  of  Phil- 
adelphia, Sir,'  etc.,  will  preach  at  such  a  time.  *  *  *  In  the  morning  they 
wept  all  over  the  house.  Some  shouted.  I  was  blessed,  and  indeed  we 
had  a  gracious  waiting  together.  I  am  sure  I  never  preached  better  than 
at  night ;  much  feeling  was  evinced,  and  I  trust  that  the  great  day  will  re- 
veal the  result  of  my  yesterday's  labors.  As  I  pass  through  the  streets, 
they  point  at  me  and  say,  'There  he  goes;  that  is  Mr.  Cookman's  Amer- 
ican grandson.'  Aunt  Holmes,  who  you  know  is  exceedingly  prudent, 
said  to  me  that  I  ought  to  come  to  England,  for  at  the  present  juncture  they 
needed  some  like  me.  You  can  have  no  idea  of  the  respect  which  is  paid 
and  the  affection  which  is  manifested  toward  me.  Grandfather  heard  me 
twice  yesterday,  and  appeared  highly  delighted.  The  old  gentleman  is  in 
good  spirits.  His  friends  think  that  my  visit  at  this  time  is  a  Godsend, 
for  it  has  had  a  most  reviving  influence  upon  him,  who  previously  seemed 
quite  depressed.  He  is  a  noble  man.  Every  hour  serves  to  increase  my 
love  and  respect.  This  morning  I  visited  the  tomb  of  my  grandma  Cook- 
man and  uncle  Alfred,  under  the  Waltham  Street  Chapel.  By-the-way,  they 
(the  authorities)  wish  me  to  re-open  the  chapel  for  them  next  Sabbath 
week.  Do  not  know  but  I  shall  comply." 

He  was  next  to  enjoy  what,  to  every  Anglo-American  and  to 
every  American  Methodist,  is  one  of  the  richest  treats  which  can 
possibly  be  afforded — the  sight  of  London,  and  the  sight  of  the 
British  Wesleyan  Conference.  To  a  young  man  whose  reading 
has  been  chiefly  in  the  English  classics,  in  the  history  and  po- 
etry of  Britain,  until  the  names  of  her  authors  and  of  the  places 
of  their  resort,  have  become  household  words,  it  is  a  source  of 
inexpressible  pleasure  to  look  upon  their  very  haunts — the 


T.IE    WESLEYAN   CONFERENCE. — PARLIAMENT.  145 

streets  where  they  walked,  the  inns  they  frequented,  the  favor- 
ite nooks  where  they  loved  to  linger.  And  to  one  imbued  with 
the  spirit  and  traditions  of  John  Wesley,  nothing  could  be  more 
inspiring  than  to  touch  the  institutions,  to  see  and  hear  the  men 
to  whom  he  had  transmitted  his  wisdom  and  power.  All  this 
was  the  more  enjoyable  to  Alfred  Cookman  because  the  teach- 
ings of  his  father  and  the  presence  of  his  father's  friends  im- 
parted a  realness  to  every  thing  about  him.  These  condi- 
tions, added  to  his  own  enthusiastic  nature,  transferred  him 
into  the  very  heart  of  all  he  saw  and  heard. 
To  his  mother : 

"LONDON,  August  16, 1850. 

"  I  leave  this  populous  city  in  a  few  minutes  for  Hull,  and  yet  I  can  not 
consent  to  quit  its  precincts  without  penning  you  a  short  note,  especially  as 
this  will  be  the  last  opportunity  of  writing  by  to-morrow's  steamer.  I  have 
now  been  spending  one  entire  week  in  London,  the  heart  of  the  world.  I 
have  seen  and  heard  much  which  it  will  be  vain  for  me  to  attempt  to  detail 
at  this  time  and  under  present  circumstances.  Grandfather  met  me  here  last 
Monday  evening,  and  we  have  been  spending  our  time  together  very  pleas- 
antly. I  have  been  honored  with  a  seat  on  the  platform  of  the  British  Con- 
ference, have  been  treated  with  the  utmost  respect  and  affection  by  the  dif- 
ferent preachers,  have  heard  many  of  them  in  debate,  and  last  Sabbath 
enjoyed  the  gratification  of  listening  to  Dr.  Bunting  in  the  morning  and  Dr. 
Dixon  in  the  evening.  Yesterday  I  saw  the  royal  procession  for  the  pur- 
pose of  proroguing  Parliament — Her  Majesty  Queen  Victoria,  His  High- 
ness Prince  Albert,  dukes,  duchesses,  etc.,  etc.  All  the  public  institutions, 
such  as  the  British  Museum,  Bank  of  England,  Tower  of  London,  etc.,  I 
have  visited.  Oh,  it  will  take  me  a  week  to  tell  you  about  my  sojourn  in 
this  city  of  cities !  On  my  way  here  I  spent  about  a  day  and  a  half  with 
aunt  Townsend  in  Bristol.  *  *  *  She  studied  my  happiness,  and  did  all  in 
her  power  to  render  my  visit  pleasant. 

"  Next  Sabbath  I  preach  at  Kingston  Chapel,  Hull,  in  the  morning,  ad- 
dress the  Sabbath-school  in  the  afternoon,  and  preach  for  grandfather  at  his 
church,  viz.,  the  Tabernacle,  in  the  evening.  You  will  say,  'Too  bad — too 
bad  !  gone  for  rest,  and  yet  performing  usual  labor.'  Well,  I  will  be  care- 
ful, and  spare  myself  as  much  as  possible.  You  have  no  idea  what  a  sensa- 
tion I  have  produced  in  my  father's  native  town. 

G 


146  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  I  shall  not  get  to  France.  Grandfather  seems  anxious  that  I  should  be 
with  him,  and,  as  I  have  only  a  short  time  longer  in  England,  I  suppose 
I  must  forego  the  trip  and  gratify  him.  Perhaps  at  some  future  day  I  shall 
enjoy  the  opportunity.  I  should  like  to  write  more,  but  have  not  the 
time.  We  must  now  start  for  the  cars.  God  bless  you.  I  think  of  you  all, 
morning,  noon,  and  night.  Oh,  how  much  I  have  to  tell  you  all !  If  you 
were  with  me,  my  pleasure  would  be  complete." 

To  his  mother : 

"STEPNEY  LODGE,  August  19, 1850. 

*  *  *  "  On  Friday  morning  last,  in  company  with  my  grandfather,  I  left 
great  London,  and  set  out  for  Hull.  Early  in  the  evening  we  reached  our  place 
of  destination,  and  as  we  passed  through  the  streets  found  that  handbills  had 
been  printed  and  posted  up,  announcing  that  I  would  preach  on  the  Sab- 
bath. This  is  something  so  new  to  me,  so  different  from  our  plan  across  the 
water,  that  I  acknowledge  it  does  not  strike  me  favorably.  At  Stepney  we 
found  Cartwright,  the  housekeeper,  quite  well,  and  all  things  pretty  much 
the  same  as  when  we  left.  On  Saturday  I  of  course  began  to  think  about 
my  Sabbath  duties  and  exercises.  After  determining  on  my  subjects,  I  went 
down  to  uncle  Holmes's,  and  spent  an  hour  or  two  most  delightfully  with 
John,  Annie,  and  aunt  Smith,  who  is  keeping  house  for  them  during  the  a!^ 
sence  of  her  sister.  I  took  with  me  your  very  beautiful  and  affectionate  let- 
ter, and  ventured  to  read  the  greater  part  of  it  to  them,  as  I  did  also  to 
grandfather.  The  reference  to  little  John's  success  was  most  touching,  and 
served  to  draw  tears  from  many  eyes.  Let  me  most  sincerely  congratulate 
him  on  his  triumphant  admission  into  the  high-school,  and  at  the  same  time 
express  the  hope  that  his  future  course  will  be  marked  by  as  much  devotion 
to  study,  as  much  honorable  and  rapid  advancement,  as  has  his  past  career 
in  connection  with  Zane  Street.  The  allusion  in  your  letter  was  the  more 
interesting  from  the  fact  that  we  sometimes  tease  Annie  Holmes  about  John 
Emory.  She  is  a  pretty,  amiable,  affectionate  girl  of  thirteen,  quite  large 
for  her  age,  and  I  am  sure  that  a  sight  of  her  would  be  attended  with  danger 
to  any  of  my  susceptible  brothers.  From  the  daguerreotype  she  seems  to 
have  taken  quite  a  fancy  to  John  ;  hence  the  tormenting  she  suffers. 

"  Well,  to  continue  my  narrative,  Saturday  passed  away,  Sunday  came. 
Arm-in-arm  my  grandfather  and  I  proceeded  to  Kingston  Chape),  a  most 
commodious,  elegant,  and  comfortable  place,  capable  of  accommodating  be- 
tween three  and  four  thousand  people.  We  found  it  crowded,  and  I  proceed- 
ed in  my  old  style  (for  any  other  suits  me  as  well  as  Saul's  armor  did  David) 
to  represent  the  Christian  warrior,  his  enemies,  duties,  and  triumphs.  God 


PREACHING   AT   HULL.  147 

owned  and  blessed  the  word,  and  notes  of  joy  were  heard  in  our  camp.  In 
the  afternoon  I  addressed  the  Sabbath-school  in  the  same  church,  and  cer- 
tainly I  witnessed  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  gratifying  spectacles  that  I 
could  possibly  have  looked  upon.  The  immense  gallery,  fifteen  or  sixteen 
pews  deep,  was  filled  all  around  with  well-behaved  children ;  the  lower  floor 
was  crowded  even  in  the  aisles  with  their  parents,  as  well  as  the  friends  of 
the  institution.  Oh,  it  was  a  glorious,  a  memorable  occasion  !  I  did  myself 
full  justice,  and  the  people  seemed  more  than  gratified.  In  the  evening  I 
preached  in  the  Tabernacle.  *  *  *  I  have  in  my  short  life  seen  dense 
crowds,  but  I  am  sure  that  I  never  saw  any  thing  to  equal  the  congrega- 
tion last  night.  It  was  one  unwieldy  mass  of  human  beings,  almost  piled 
one  on  top  of  another,  and  hundreds,  I  am  told,  went  away  who  could  not 
obtain  even  a  foothold. 

"  I  chose  as  my  subject  the  Great  Supper,  and  preached,  I  hope,  in  dem- 
onstration of  the  spirit  and  with  power.  I  felt  that  my  arm  was  strong, 
and  that  by  the  help  of  God  a  blow  must  be  struck.  At  the  close  of  the 
service  a  number  came  forward  to  the  altar  as  penitents,  and  I  left  with 
the  soldiers  of  Christ  in  possession  of  the  field.  Will  you  believe  me  if  I 
tell  you  that  I  could  scarce  walk  home.  I  had  let  out  every  link  of  my 
chain,  and  I  had  hardly  strength  left  to  stand.  However,  here  I  am  this 
morning,  a  little  mondayish,  it  is  true,  but  by  nightfall  I  expect  to  be  as 
bright  and  vigorous  as  ever.  Grandfather  seems  quite  delighted  with  my 
efforts,  but  tells  me  I  will  kill  myself,  and  that  I  must  not  be  so  lavish  of 
my  strength  and  voice. 

"As  I  intimated  ir  my  letter  written  in  London,  I  fear  I  will  not  get  to 
Paris  this  time.  Grandfather  seems  anxious  to  have  me  with  him  during 
the  remainder  of  my  stay  in  England,  and  I  suppose  that,  in  view  of  his  ad- 
vanced age,  he  must  be  gratified  in  this.  Perhaps  in  a  very  few  years  an- 
other opportunity  will  offer,  and  then  I  can  travel  somewhat  upon  the 
Continent.  I  have  been  making  some  inquiries  about  the  Southampton 
steamers,  and  I  think  that  there  is  no  one  to  start  about  the  time  I  want 
to  go  home.  I  have  seen  England,  talked  with  my  grandfather  and  other 
relatives,  and  now  I  begin  to  feel  as  if  it  were  my  duty  to  get  back  to  my 
field  of  labor  again.  I  know  exactly  how  they  are  situated,  and  am  sure 
that  the  interests  of  both  appointments  would  be  subserved  by  my  return. 
Early  in  September,  then,  I  expect  to  turn  my  face  homeward.  So  look  out 
for  me  about  the  2oth  or  25th.  At  every  step  in  Hull  I  meet  with  the 
former  friends  and  acquaintances  of  my  beloved  parents.  Some  of  them 
weep  when  they  see  me,  others  manifest  great  pleasure,  and  refer  with  en- 
thusiasm to  their  former  acquaintance  with  my  father  and  mother.  One 


148  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

attended  the  same  school  with  them,  another  went  a-fishing,  and  a  third  was 
a  bosom  friend.  Dr.  McClintock  and  myself  stayed  at  the  same  place  in 
London,  went  to  see  the  lions  together,  and  enjoyed  much  pleasant  inter- 
course. 

"  I  preach  to-night  (Tuesday)  at  Kingston ;  next  Sabbath  at  Waltham  and 
Thornton  Streets." 

To  his  mother  : 

"STEPNEY  LODGE,  HULL,  August  23, 1850. 

"  Thus  far,  I  believe,  every  steamer  which  has  left  England  for  America 
since  my  arrival  here  has  borne  a  letter  to  those  at  home.  To-morrow  is 
the  regular  day  for  the  departure  of  one  of  the  Cunard  line,  and  although  I 
have  written  once  this  week,  yet  I  can  not  consent  to  let  this  opportunity 
pass  without  dispatching  you  at  least  a  few  lines.  My  health  since  I  have 
been  in  England  has  continued  quite  good,  and  my  enjoyment  has  exceeded 
my  most  sanguine  expectations.  The  comforts  by  which  I  have  been  sur- 
rounded, the  exceedingly  affectionate  attentions  of  different  friends,  as  well 
as  the  continual  feast  of  vision  with  which  I  have  been  providentially  fa- 
vored, all  have  conspired  to  render  the  last  six  weeks  the  happiest  period 
of  my  life.  The  country  presents  the  appearance  of  an  extensive  garden, 
separated  for  convenience  sake  into  small  fields  by  beautiful  green  hedges. 
Indeed,  I  know  of  no  feature  in  the  natural  scenery  of  England  which  will 
sooner  strike  the  traveler's  eye  than  the  neat  and  well-trimmed  hedges  which 
are  every  where  to  be  seen.  The  foliage  of  the  trees,  too,  as  well  as  the  verd- 
ure of  the  fields,  is  much  richer  and  more  elegant  than  any  thing  we  see  in 
America.  This  is  owing  to  the  humidity  of  the  atmosphere,  as  well  as  to 
the  absence  of  that  intense  heat  which  so  often  with  us  exerts  a  blighting 
influence  on  all  natural  objects.  Some  of  the  landscapes  here  are  surpass- 
ingly beautiful ;  perhaps  there  is  not  that  wildness  in  the  scenery  that  we 
have  with  us,  but  there  is  a  cultivation  and  variety,  together  with  a  pict- 
uresque appearance  and  classic  interest,  which  never  fails  to  please  the  eye 
and  captivate  the  heart. 

"  In  the  distance,  for  instance,  upon  the  summit  of  a  noble  hill,  you  dis- 
cover, surrounded  by  towering  trees,  some  old  castle  which  has  stood  for 
centuries,  and  which,  crumbling  under  the  influence  of  time,  occupied  only 
by  the  owl  and  the  bat,  remains  as  a  monument  of  former  times.  Not 
far  off  you  perceive  a  comfortable -looking  farm-house;  a  noble  lawn  in 
front,  and  a  highly  cultivated  garden  in  the  rear.  Around  you  see  the  dif- 
ferent fields.  In  one,  perhaps,  the  cattle  are  quietly  grazing ;  in  another  la- 
borers are  diligently  engaged  in  securing  the  golden  harvest ;  while  in  a 


ENGLISH   SCENERY. — FURTHER   SUCCESS.  149 

third  the  little  lambs  skip  in  every  direction,  as  if  almost  intoxicated  with  joy. 
Away  in  the  horizon  is  a  flourishing  town  (England  abounds  in  towns), 
which  always  has  its  church  built  in  the  Gothic  style,  and  whose  glittering 
spire,  like  a  golden  finger,  points  toward  heaven,  as  if  it  would  direct  the 
minds  of  the  people  thitherward.  While  gazing  upon  the  scene,  diversified 
with  fields  and  forests,  noblemen's  mansions  and  laborers'  cottages,  gray  and 
gloomy  castles,  as  well  as  chaste  and  cheerful  village  churches,  you  are  sud- 
denly startled  by  the  whiz  of  a  locomotive,  which,  with  its  train,  like  a  rush- 
ing comet,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  disappears  in  a  damp  and  gloomy  tun- 
nel ;  then  emerging  passes  over  the  massy  stone  bridge  of  a  quiet  stream, 
and,  after  darting  about  among  the  hills  for  a  moment,  is  lost  to  view.  I 
did  not  know  when  I  attempted  this  description  that  I  should  have  covered 
so  large  a  portion  of  my  sheet,  and  yet  I  am  sure  that,  if  I  had  done  the  pict- 
ure justice,  it  would  require  more  space  and  time  than  I  at  the  present 
could  conveniently  or  possibly  employ.  Any  thing  further  of  the  same  nature 
I  will  have  to  postpone  until  my  return  to  your  delightful  society. 

"  On  Tuesday  evening,  according  to  appointment,  I  preached  in  Kingston 
Chapel  to  at  least  three  thousand  people.  God  was  pleased  to  own  and  bless 
His  Word,  delivered  in  an  humble  dependence  upon  the  energizing  influences 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  for  at  the  close  of  the  services,  during  a  prayer-meeting 
which  was  held,  about  forty  individuals  presented  themselves  at  the  altar, 
desiring  an  interest  in  the  prayers  of  God's  people.  Wednesday  night  I 
blew  my  trumpet  in  old  George  Yard,  where  Wesley,  Benson,  and  my  be- 
loved father  have  been  heard,  with  pleasure  and  profit.  Again  our  altar 
was  more  than  crowded  with  those  inquiring  their  way  to  Zion.  Last  night 
I  preached  in  the  Tabernacle  to  a  congregation  literally  wedged  together. 
The  crowd  I  think  was  even  greater  than  on  last  Sunday  evening.  I  never 
saw  a  more  attentive,  solemn,  and  feeling  auditory.  We  had  seekers  all 
around  our  altar  as  well  as  in  the  vestry.  Not  unto  me,  O  Lord,  but  unto 
Thy  name  be  all  the  glory.  Who  knows  but  that  a  kind  Providence,  who 
thus  far  has  most  delightfully  opened  my  way  before  me,  has  determined  to 
honor  my  visit  by  giving  me  souls  for  my  hire  and  seals  to  my  ministry.  If 
there  should  be  only  one  who,  in  the  great  day  of  final  retribution,  shall  as- 
cribe to  my  instrumentality  his  or  her  salvation,  I  shall  be  more  than  com- 
pensated for  the  time  spent  or  the  money  expended  in  my  visit  to  the 
United  Kingdom. 

"  On  Sabbath  I  am  to  be  at  Waltham  Street  in  the  morning,  and  at 
Thornton  Street  at  night.  Oh  that  the  God  of  my  father  would  be  present 
to  wound  and  to  heal !  I  fear  I  shall  not  see  aunt  Holmes  before  my  re- 
turn. She  continues  at  Swanage,  and  uncle  doubts  whether  they  will  get 


150  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

back  before  my  departure.  I  have  had  many  very,  very  pleasant  interviews 
with  aunt  Smith.  Yesterday  she  took  me  to  see  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morley,  who 
now  reside  in  Hull.  They  referred  to  you  in  the  most  affectionate  manner." 

From  Mrs.  Smith,  of  Hull,  to  Mrs.  Mary  Cookman : 

"  HULL,  August  28, 1850. 

"  MY  DEAREST  MARY, — Many  of  my  correspondents  complain,  and  not 
without  just  cause,  that  I  have  degenerated  in  regular  correspondence.  *  *  * 
And  now,  my  beloved  Mary,  I  congratulate  you  on  being  blessed  with  such  a 
son.  If  he  is  a  specimen  of  the  other  members  of  your  family,  those  relatives 
who  live  to  welcome  them  as  they  may  come  to  visit  England  have  a  rich 
treat  in  store.  I  say  I  expected  to  see  a  nice,  intelligent  young  man,  but  I  had 
not  raised  my  expectations  to  the  reality.  Not  one  of  your  family  rejoices 
more  that  he  has  come  over  than  myself.  I  have  such  a  delightful  picture 
in  my  mind  of  the  union  betwixt  the  families  on  this  side  and  beyond  the 
Atlantic  as  I  can  not  describe  ;  there  was  a  break  in  the  chain,  but  now  we 
seem  firmly  linked  together.  I  feel  we  are  all  one,  and  bound  together  by 
indissoluble  ties.  Oh !  we  are  sorry  to  let  him  leave  us,  and  we  are  not 
alone.  How  many  in  Hull  will  have  to  praise  God  for  his  visit !  They 
have  said,  'Can't  you  use  influence  for  him  to  remain  in  Hull  another 
month  ?'  with  much  more.  I  could  only  silence  them  by  assuring  them  it  was 
impossible ;  we  had  received  that  morning  a  schedule  of  his  berth,  which 
was  taken  in  the  steamer  Asia.  He  leaves  behind  him  a  name,  but,  what 
is  of  far  more  worth,  many,  many  seals  to  his  ministry.  Any  one  but  him- 
self would  be  in  danger  from  popularity ;  when  any  thing  is  said  in  his  praise 
to  his  grandfather,  he  replies, '  Oh,  he  owes  much  to  his  mother ;  I  always 
had  a  very  high  opinion  of  her  judgment,  attention,  and  piety.'  It  gladdens 
my  heart  to  hear  him. 

"  I  walked  with  Alfred  one  morning  to  introduce  him  to  old  Mr.  Morley, 
who  desired  he  would  pray  with  him  ere  he  left  the  manse.  I  stayed  a 
littlfe  time  after  his  departure  to  his  grandfather.  Mr.  Morley  was  obliged 
to  leave  the  room,  and  go  into  another  to  give  vent  to  a  flood  of  tears  ere 
he  could  converse  with  me,  and  on  his  return  every  other  subject  was  ban- 
ished except  you  and  yours,  and  the  pleasure  he  had  in  your  society  when 
he  lived  in  Fishcrgate.  My  dear  sister  Holmes  mourns  her  absence  from 
home  at  this  time.  I  reap  the  benefit,  for  I  might  have  been  in  another 
part  of  the  country  in  ignorance  of  my  loss.  I  do,  indeed,  praise  God  for 
my  present  privileges  ;  and  I  feel  no  doubt  but  that  Mrs.  H.  is  in  her  prov- 
idential path,  for,  to  use  her  own  words, '  However  dear  Alfred  is,  Thomas 
is  dearer,  and  has  the  first  claim  on  my  consideration.' 


FRANKNESS. ORDER   OF   PREACHING.  !$! 

"  As  I  have  sat  under  Alfred's  ministry,  I  have  recalled  the  instrument  in 
God's  hand  ofleading  me  to  Himself,  and  then  was  filled  with  praise  that  an 
insignificant  being  like  myself  should  be  the  first  link  in  the  glorious  chain  ; 
and  when  I  saw  the  altar  rails  crowded  with  penitents,  my  heart  leaped  with 
joy,  my  heart  burned  within  me,  and  I  thought  what  glorious  results  might 
arise  from  one  of  the  least  being  savingly  converted  to  God." 

This  letter  very  appropriately  closes  the  correspondence 
touching  the  visit  to  England.  His  letters,  written  with  so 
much  frankness,  the  outpourings  of  a  faithful  son's  heart  to  his 
devoted  mother,  give  ample  incidental  proof  of  the  wide-spread, 
popular,  and  useful  influence  of  his  pulpit  exercises.  The  testi- 
monies of  his  cousin  and  aunt  abundantly  confirm  this  inci- 
dental revelation.  The  aunt  acknowledges  any  one  but  himself 
would  have  been  in  danger  from  such  popularity.  Such  un- 
bounded enthusiasm  over  so  young  a  man  was  well  calculated  to 
turn  his  head;  but  it  does  not  seem  to  have  affected  him  beyond 
exciting  a  devout  recognition  of  God's  goodness,  and  pleasure 
at  the  gratification  he  thought  it  would  afford  his  loving  mother. 
Then  as  always  there  was,  to  all  appearances  at  least,  a  sweet 
absence  of  egotism,  a  simple  unconsciousness  of  the  incense  of 
praise  which  was  ever  rising  in  his  presence.  His  absorbing 
purpose. was  to  win  souls  to  Christ.  For  his  success  in  "slay- 
ing sinners,"  in  receiving  the  gratitude  and  applause  of  the 
people,  he  ascribed  all  the  glory  to  God. 

Three  features  crop  out  in  these  letters.  The  character  of  his 
preaching,  already  substantially  formed,  and  which  he  calls  "his 
own  " — pictorial  or  dramatic  representation — is  seen  in  the  ac- 
count of  some  of  his  sermons;  the  tireless  zeal  for  work,  unable 
to  rest  without  work,  and  uniting  with  his  recreations  ceaseless 
preaching;  and  also  we  hear  of  him  for  the  first  time  before  an 
audience  of  children,  a  direction  in  his  ministry  in  which  he 
was  afterward  to  acquire  such  remarkable  facility  and  success. 


CHAPTER    X. 

HOME    AGAIN. — MARRIAGE. — MINISTRY   AT   WEST   CHESTER    AND 
HARRISBURG,  PA. 

THE  early  autumn  found  him  at  his  post  in  Kensington, 
preaching  to  large  congregations,  and  attending  to  all  pastoral 
work  with  fresh  delight  and  diligence.  Of  course  the  little 
family  group  on  Race  Street  was  frequently  visited.  He  had 
come  back  filled  with  beautiful  thoughts  and  recollections, 
which  it  was  his  joy  to  communicate  to  those  who  were  as  dear 
to  him  as  his  own  life.  Much,  however,  as  he  enjoyed  the 
pastimes  of  home,  he  did  not  neglect  the  duties  of  his  charge 
— his  hours  'were  full  of  useful  occupation.  Thus  busily  em- 
ployed, the  autumn  and  winter  glided  away,  and  the  session  of 
the  Conference  approached. 

A  few  extracts  from  his  correspondence  while  stationed  at 
Kensington  are  sufficient  to  show  the  zealous  spirit  with  which 
he  was  animated : 

"January  14,  1850. 

"  On  Sabbath  I  preached  both  morning  and  evening  to  excellent  congre- 
gations. God  was  eminently  with  me  on  both  occasions.  At  night  I  was 
uncommonly  assisted  :  an  unusual  seriousness  pervaded  the  assembly,  some 
came  forward  to  the  altar,  and  I  trust  that  eternity  will  alone  reveal  the  ex- 
tensive good  done.  Last  evening  I  preached  with  much  liberty;  more 
knelt  at  our  altar  than  on  the  previous  night,  numbers  in  the  congregation 
wept  freely,  and  we  are  encouraged  to  look  for  better  times.  I  do  most 
earnestly  desire  to  be  a  successful  minister  of  the  New  Testament.  While 
I  experience  an  unceasing  love  for  my  honorable  and  responsible  work,  at 
the  same  time  I  would  perceive  a  corresponding  influence  attending  my  la- 
bors. Oh,  that  God  would  constitute  me  a  chosen  instrument  of  good  to 
those  among  whom  I  may  toil  from  time  to  time  !" 


WORK   AT   HOME. — MARRIAGE.  153 

"January  6,  1851. 

"  Last  Sabbath,  the  first  Sunday  of  the  new  year,  I  preached  in  Kensing- 
ton morning  and  evening  on  the  subject  of  the  Judgment.  I  have  rarely  ad- 
dressed more  attentive  and  solemn  congregations.  God  was  eminently  with 
me  on  both  occasions.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  evening  service  we  entered 
heartily  into  a  prayer-meeting.  In  exhortation  I  felt  as  if  I  was  only  the 
speaking-trumpet  of  Jehovah.  Almost  immediately  twelve  approached  our 
altar,  all  very  interesting  cases ;  a  number  professed  to  experience  peace, 
and  before  ten  P.  M.  we  had  the  shout  of  the  King  in  our  camp.  To  God 
be  all  the  glory." 

"February,  1851. 

"  In  Philadelphia  a  good  feeling  seems  to  prevail  at  almost  every  appoint- 
ment. Trinity,  the  church  where  our  family  worship,  has  been  catching 
some  of  the  descending  drops.  Little  sister  professes  to  have  experienced 
peace,  and  has  joined  the  Church  ;  she  seems  to  be  as  firm  as  an  ocean  rock. 
There  are  only  two  now  of  our  family  who  remain  without  the  pale  of  the 
Church,  viz.,  George  and  Will,  and  we  are  praying  and  confidently  hoping 
that  very  soon  they  will  become  the  subjects  of  saving  grace.  On  Sunday  I 
preached  three  times,  twice  to  immense  congregations  in  Kensington,  and 
in  the  afternoon  at  Fifth  Street  to  a  very  full  house.  This  evening  we  re- 
new the  battle,  and  expect  that  our  efforts  will  be  more  signally  blessed  in 
the  salvation  of  priceless  souls.  My  heart  is  in  the  work.  I  glory  in  being 
permitted  to  head  the  sacramental  host  in  the  assaults  upon  the  strong- 
holds of  the  wicked  one." 

"February,  1851. 

"  Certainly  there  is  no  enjoyment  at  all  comparable  with  that  experienced 
by  those  who  possess  a  divine  testimony  that  they  have  been  introduced 
into  the  family  of  Heaven,  and  as  the  object  of  their  Father's  approba- 
tion and  love.  Oh  !  let  us  be  ambitious  to  possess  all  the  mind  which 
was  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  for  every  day  only  serves  more  to  satisfy  me 
that  decided  and  devout  spirituality  and  supreme  religious  enjoyment  are 
twin  sisters.  God  has  joined  them  together,  and  it  is  impossible  for  man 
to  tear  them  asunder." 

On  the  6th  of  March,  1851,  Mr.  Cookman  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Annie  E.,  daughter  of  Mr.  Abraham  Bruner,  of 
Columbia,  Pa.,  by  the  Rev.  William  Urie,  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  Previously  to  the  marriage  he  wrote  to  Miss 
Bruner : 

G  2 


154  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  From  the  commencement  of  my  religious  course  I  have  felt  anxious  to 
commit  my  all  into  God's  gracious  care  and  keeping,  that  I  might  be  guided 
and  cared  for  by  His  infinite  wisdom.  In  the  matter  of  marriage,  above  all 
others,  I  have  been  desirous  that  He  should  rule  and  overrule;  indeed,  I 
have  incorporated  this  in  all  my  private  addresses  to  a  Throne  of  Grace. 
In  looking  back  upon  the  past  I  think  I  am  prepared  to  say,  '  He  hath  done 
all  things  well,'  and  in  all  my  associations  with  you  can  most  distinctly  per- 
ceive the  hand  of  an  overruling  Providence.  I  desire  to  be  unfeignedly 
grateful  to  my  Heavenly  Father  for  this  and  any  other  manifestation  of  His 
tender  care  and  watchful  love,  and  in  the  strength  of  grace  would  solemnly 
promise  Him  to  be  more  devoted  to  His  glorious  cause  in  all  future  time." 

As  evidence  of  the  happiness  which  crowned  this  union,  and 
also  of  the  pleasant  and  delicate  way  in  which  he  ever  mani- 
fested his  affection  for  his  wife,  I  anticipate  by  some  years  the 
following  effusion,  written  at  the  close  of  his  pastoral  term  at 
Union  Church,  Philadelphia,  1861 : 

"  This  day  completes  the  first  decade  of  my  married  life.  On  the  6th  of 
March,  1851, 1  linked  my  fortunes  with  those  of  my  dearly  beloved  wife,  and 
now  on  the  tenth  anniversary  of  our  blessed  union  I  would  record  my  grati- 
tude to  Almighty  God,  whose  kind  providence  gave  and  hath  preserved  to 
me  one  so  well  deserving  the  name  of '  help-meet.^ 

"Our  life,  made  up  of  fidelity  and  love,  has  been  like  a  deepening  and 
widening  stream,  upon  which  we  have  floated  together  in  delightful  harmo- 
ny. Our  home,  with  its  five  little  buds  of  beauty  and  promise,  has  been  an 
Eden  spot,  where  our  Infinite  Father,  who  dwelt  with  the  first  pair  in  Para- 
dise, has  vouchsafed  us  His  constant  presence.  Oh,  how  much  of  pure  love 
and  true  joy  have  been  compressed  within  these  ten  years — the  happiest  ten 
years  of  my  life  !  Accept,  my  precious  Annie,  this  humble  but  sincere  testi- 
mony to  your  thoughtful  care,  constant  kindness,  unsullied  goodness,  untir- 
ing fidelity,  and  uninterrupted,  aye,  increasing  devotion. 

"  We  have  lived  and  loved  together  thus  long — and  now  on  this  anniversa- 
ry day  let  us,  in  token  of  our  gratitude  to  God  and  our  affection  for  one  anoth- 
er, build  a  pillar  of  witness.  It  shall  be  composed  of  these  ten  stones,  one  for 
each  year  of  our  married  life  :  LOVE — TRUTH — PURITY — KINDNESS — FI- 
DELITY— SINCERITY — CONSTANCY — THANKFULNESS— HOLINESS— CHRIST 
THE  FOUNDATION  STONE. 

"  This  is  the  alfar  upon  which  we  will  renew  our  vows  '  to  love,  comfort, 
honor,  and  keep  one  another  so  long  as  we  both  shall  live.' " 


HOUSEKEEPING. WEST   CHESTER,  PA.  155 

Within  a  few  weeks  after  the  marriage  Mr.  Cookman  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  charge  of  West  Chester  station.  West  Chester 
is  the  county  town  of  Chester  County,  about  thirty  miles  from 
Philadelphia,  and  beautifully  situated  in  a  rich  farming  district, 
which  was  settled  originally  almost  wholly  by  Quakers.  The 
town  has  long  been  noted  for  the  thrift,  intelligence,  and  sobri- 
ety of  its  inhabitants.  The  Methodist  Church  there  was  not 
strong  either  in  wealth  or  numbers,  but  the  members,  feeling 
themselves  highly  favored  by  Mr.  Cookman's  appointment,  re- 
solved to  do  the  best  they  could  to  render  him  and  his  bride 
comfortable  and  happy.  On  the  evening  of  their  arrival  they 
were  welcomed  to  their  new  home — the  house  having  been  put 
in  order,  and  tea  being  spread  for  their  entertainment.  The 
young  minister  and  his  youthful  wife  were  at  once  put  at  their 
ease — a  cozy,  genial  feeling  suffused  their  hearts ;  they  began 
the  first  evening  to  love  their  new  people,  and  continued  to 
love  them  to  the  end.  A  little  kindness  shown  to  a  pastor  upon 
his  first  appearance  in  a  new  charge  goes  far  to  render  all  the 
days  spent  in  the  charge  pleasant  and  useful ;  while  the  neg- 
lect of  it,  though  it  may  be  from  thoughtlessness,  causes  a  chill 
which  it  takes  many  days  of  kindness  to  overcome. 

Mr.  Cookman,  accustomed  hitherto  to  look  up  to  a  head 
for  direction  and  support,  was  now  thrown  wholly  on  his  own 
resources.  He  knew  where  was  the  source  of  power  —  the 
Throne  of  Grace  —  and  resorting  to  it,  he  obtained  help  of 
God.  His  preaching  from  the  opening  Sunday  attracted  gen- 
eral attention.  His  fame  had  preceded  him,  and  very  soon 
his  church  was  crowded,  not  only  by  the  Methodists  and  their 
immediate  sympathizers,  but  also  by  the  tlitc  of  the  neigh- 
borhood. The  "Friends"  were  charmed  by  the  spirituality  of 
his  sermons  and  the  godly  simplicity  of  his  manners.  He  be- 
came the  central  figure  of  the  religious  community,  and  all 
eyes  and  hearts  were  turned  toward  him ;  his  influence  grew 
day  by  day,  and  his  ascendency  over  the  minds  of  the  people 


156  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

became  in  a  short  time  such  as  no  other  minister  had  attained 
in  years. 

With  a  laudable  ambition  for  success,  and  an  earnest  zeal  for 
the  divine  glory,  he  was  a  man  full  of  work,  spending  the  fore- 
noons of  the  day  in  the  study  and  the  afternoons  in  pastoral 
visitation,  and  mingling  socially  with  all  classes  of  the  people 
and  with  all  denominations  of  Christians.  The  sociability  and 
catholicity  which  so  distinguished  his  father,  and  which  subse- 
quently became  so  pre-eminent  in  him,  began  already  to  be  seen 
as  traits  of  character.  Effective  and  popular  as  he  was  in  the 
pulpit,  he  did  not  depend  wholly  upon  the  efforts  of  the  Sabbath 
to  accomplish  the  work  of  God,  but  was  incessant  in  his  atten- 
tions to  the  members  of  the  congregation  in  the  private  walks 
of  life.  There  was  no  element  of  power  which  he  did  not  seek 
thus  early  to  subordinate  to  the  efficiency  of  his  ministry.  But 
while  absorbingly  devoted  to  his  own  charge  and  to  the  work 
which  lay  directly  before  him,  it  was  not  possible  for  one  of  such 
gifts,  whose  family  name  was  talismanic  in  all  the  churches,  and 
whose  personal  reputation  was  already  wide-spread,  to  escape 
constant  appeals  from  far  and  near  for  special  services  in  the 
way  of  sermons  and  addresses. 

The  following  letters  to  his  young  friend,  Andrew  Longacre, 
give  a  faint  idea  of  the  intensity  and  extensiveness  of  his  la- 
bors. As  will  be  seen,  his  summer  vacation  in  1851  was  spent 
in  attendance  upon  various  camp-meetings.  He  went  rapidly 
from  one  to  another  of  these  gatherings,  and  preached  to  the 
delight  and  edification  of  the  masses  who  frequented  them.  A 
strange  way  to  take  vacation  !  And  yet  the  habit  adopted  thus 
early  in  his  career  continued  uniformly  through  life  ;  his  month 
for  relaxation,  instead  of  being  spent  in  the  recreations  of  inno- 
cent pastimes  or  sports,  in  absolute  desistance  from  his  cus- 
tomary home  work  and  excitements,  was  usually  absorbed  in 
the  most  active  and  taxing  exercises.  The  change  of  scene,  the 
bodily  movement,  the  forming  of  new  acquaintances,  the  free, 


ENCOURAGING   WORDS.  157 

joyous  mingling  with  his  ministerial  brethren,  the  ever-fresh 
inspirations  which  such  associations  evoked,  but,  above  all,  the 
opportunity  of  working  for  the  Master  on  a  wide-spread  scale — 
these  were  considerations  which  controlled  and  sustained  his 
choice. 

To  Mr.  Andrew  Longacre,  of  Philadelphia  : 

"WEST  CHESTER,  September  5,1851. 

*  *  *  "  Believe  me  that  my  silence  has  not  been  occasioned  by  any  dimi- 
nution of  kindly  or  affectionate  feeling,  but  purely  by  the  force  of  circum- 
stances. As  you  are  aware,  I  have  been  away  from  my  charge  for  the  last 
few  weeks,  and  during  most  of  my  absence  have  been  so  circumstanced  as 
to  render  letter-writing  a  matter  of  absolute  impossibility.  In  the  provi- 
dence of  God,  I  have  been  permitted  to  return  to  my  field  of  labor,  and  very 
gladly  avail  myself  of  a  little  leisure  to  communicate  with  one  for  whom  I 
have  long  entertained  the  sincerest  regard.  Your  prosperity  has  always 
greatly  interested  me.  Believing  that  God  had  endued  you  with  very  con- 
siderable talent,  satisfied  that  you  possessed  in  no  small  degree  the  grace 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  I  thought  that  in  a  more  public  sphere  you  might  better 
promote  the  glory  of  God  and  subserve  the  interests  of  His  Church  ;  hence 
my  strong  desire  and  earnest  entreaty  that  you  should  prayerfully  consider 
the  important  work  of  the  Christian  ministry.  The  subsequent  develop- 
ments of  divine  Providence  have,  I  think,  most  clearly  proved  that  the  im- 
pression which  induced  me  to  single  you  out  for  this  sphere  was  directed 
from  heaven.  Perhaps  you  may  be  disposed  to  think  that  I  am  writing  too 
plainly  when  I  make  allusion  to  your  gifts  and  graces.  Believe  me,  I  am 
perfectly  sincere,  and  express  myself  in  this  undisguised  way  from  a  firm 
conviction  that  many  young  men  suffer  more  from  depression  than  elation 
of  spirits.  From  a  fear  of  adding  fuel  to  the  flame  of  vanity,  encouragement 
is  often  withheld,  while  the  individual  is  writhing  under  the  influence  of  de- 
spondency and  despair.  I  believe  in  my  soul  this  is  wrong,  and,  as  a  gen- 
eral thing,  I  make  it  a  rule  to  repeat  to  the  person  referred  to  any  thing 
commendatory  which  I  may  have  heard.  This  is  a  privilege  which  becomes 
a  feast  for  my  own  soul,  while  at  the  same  time  it  is  intended  to  stimulate 
and  encourage  the  one  addressed. 

"  Most  sincerely  do  I  rejoice  in  your  success,  and  as  earnestly  do  I  pray 
that  God  may  bless  you  with  that  measure  of  health  and  strength  which  shall 
fully  fit  you  for  the  earnest  and  successful  prosecution  of  your  ministerial 
labors.  During  the  summer  I  attended  five  camp-meetings,  preaching  fre- 
quently and  laboring  arduously.  I  greatly  regretted  my  inability  to  reach 


158  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Red  Lion,  which  ground  I  have  not  visited  for  two  years.  My  valise  was 
packed  and  arrangements  made  to  start,  but  at  the  last  moment  I  concluded 
that  I  would  yield  to  the  solicitations  of  Peninsula  friends,  who  positively 
insisted  upon  my  tarrying  longer  in  that  region.  God  seemed  to  own  and 
bless  my  feeble  endeavors,  so  that  I  would  fain  believe  my  course  was  over- 
ruled for  good.  I  trust  that  the  meeting  at  Red  Lion,  like  many  which  have 
preceded  it  in  that  forest,  proved  both  pleasant  and  profitable.  I  enjoyed 
for  a  day  or  two  its  counterpart  on  the  Shrewsbury  Circuit,  where  there  were 
upward  of  three  hundred  tents  and  any  number  of  Baltimoreans.  At  pres- 
ent I  am  enjoying  my  happy  and  comfortable  home — a  very  little  paradise. 
When  will  you  come  and  participate  in  its  pleasures  ?  I  can  promise  you  a 
cordial  welcome  and  hospitable  treatment.  Next  week  I  desire,  if  possible, 
to  spend  a  day  or  two  with  mother,  whom  I  have  not  seen  for  many  weeks. 
Perhaps  you  may  be  in  the  city  then,  and  I  may  enjoy  a  personal  interview, 
which,  after  all,  is  infinitely  preferable  to  pen-and-ink  communication." 

To  the  Rev.  Andrew  Longacre : 

"WEST  CHESTER,  January  10, 1852. 

*  *  *  "  On  Thursday  evening  we  crossed  our  own  threshold  and  sat  down 
again  at  home.  Your  letter  was  of  course  carefully  read,  and  its  urgent  re- 
quest duly  considered.  Will  you  believe  me  when  I  say  that  nothing  at  the 
present  would  afford  me  more  pleasure  than  to  spend  a  week  with  old  and 
cherished  friends  on  Chestnut  Hill.  Indeed,  I  wojild,  if  it  were  at  all  pos- 
sible, strain  a  point  and  neglect  something  else  that  I  might  serve  you.  I 
appreciate  your  situation,  and  would  feel  it  a  privilege  to  go  to  your  help, 
but  I  am  under  obligations  to  go  to  Wilmington  next  week,  and  as  I  have 
been  absent  from  my  people  for  some  time,  and  expect  to  leave  them  again 
shortly,  I  fear  that  it  will  be  out  of  my  power  to  render  you  this  desired  serv- 
ice. Indeed,  I  have  almost  concluded  to  commence  a  series  of  meetings 
here  about  week  after  next,  so  that  my  way  seems  to  be  entirely  blocked  up. 

,f"  I  would  not  have  you  think  that  I  esteem  Chestnut  Hill  so  insignificant  a 
spot  as  not  to  merit  my  notice  or  efforts,  for  I  speak  truthfully  when  I  say 
that,  as  it  towers  above  the  neighboring  hills,  and  indeed  deserves  the  title 
'  Prince  of  Hills,'  so  among  the  many  places  I  have  been  privileged  to  visit, 
I  know  of  few,  if  any,  which  stand  as  high  in  my  affections.  May  God  sig- 
nally own  and  bless  your  proposed  effort,  and  grant  that,  in  a  moral  as  well 
as  in  a  natural  point  of  view,  it  may  become  one  of  the  most  desirable  and 
delightful  spots  on  God's  great  footstool.  You  have  my  sympathies,  prayers, 
and  should  have  my  feeble  efforts  if  I  had  not  previously  engaged  to  help 
Dr.  Hodgson  early  in  the  new  year." 


LITERARY   ADDRESS   AT   WILLIAMSPORT.  159 

It  appears  from  this  letter  that  his  friend,  to  whom  in  the 
former  letter  he  had  written  such  encouraging  words,  had  him- 
self begun  preaching,  and  was  making  his  first  efforts  at  circuit 
work.  To  the  request  for  help,  Mr.  Cookman  found  it  difficult 
to  say  no,  and  nothing  but  previous  engagements  prevented  his 
yielding.  The  disposition  to  oblige  every  body,  to  answer  to 
every  call  for  assistance,  was  strong  in  his  nature  ;  and  while  it 
may  have  interrupted  his  habits  of  self-culture  and  systematic 
study,  it  yet  extended  his  influence  by  constantly  enlarging  his 
acquaintance  among  the  churches.  Among  the  excursions  from 
home  was  one  on  a  literary  errand— probably  the  first  of  its  kind 
— to  Dickinson  Seminary,  located  at  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania. 
The  following  letter  to  his  wife  discloses  a  little  of  the  anxiety 
of  the  young  orator,  but  more  of  the  joy  of  the  young  father : 

"WILLIAMSPORT, Monday  noon. 

"  I  have  a  leisure  moment  which  shall  be  devoted  to  a  family  correspond- 
ence. After  bidding  you  farewell  I  returned  to  my  lonely  home,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  change  and  finish  my  address.  This  accomplished,  I  arranged 
my  matters,  and,  joining  Professor  Wentworth,  returned  to  the  depot.  We 
dined  with  your  friend  H ,  and  started  about  one  o'clock.  A  long,  tedi- 
ous ride  in  the  canal-boat  brought  us  to  Williamsport  about  half-past  twelve 
on  Saturday.  General  Packer  met  me  at  the  boat,  and  is  entertaining  Broth- 
er Myers  and  myself  most  elegantly.  Our  home  is  the  head-quarters  in  the 
town.  Yesterday  we  had  three  services,  Professor  Wentworth  preaching  in 
the  morning  and  your  humble  servant  in  the  evening.  All  went  off  satis- 
factorily. The  officers  of  the  institution  and  the  people  of  the  town  are 
more  than  kind,  offering  me  every  attention.  I  deliver  my  address  this  even- 
ing. Can  not  tell  how  it  will  take.  The  examinations  are  progressing,  and 
will  not  be  concluded  before  Wednesday.  I  find  that  I  will  not  be  able  to 
get  home  before  Friday.  How  is  my  precious  Bruner  ?  Dear  little  duck, 
I  have  him  and  his  mother  in  my  mind  almost  constantly.  Kiss  him  over 
and  over  and  over  again  for  his  absent  pa." 

With  all  these  engagements,  the  duties  of  his  pastorate  were 
not  neglected.  The  protracted  meeting  at  which  he  hints  was 
soon  begun,  and  resulted  in  a  general  and  thorough  revival  of 
religion,  the  fruits  of  which  remain  to  this  day. 


l6o  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

At  the  ensuing  session  of  the  Conference — spring  of  1852 — 
he  was  elected  to  elders'  orders  and  ordained  by  Bishop  Janes, 
and  re-appointed  to  West  Chester.  His  work  this  year  was  but 
a  continuation  of  that  of  the  preceding.  The  revival  did  not 
spend  itself,  but  progressed  through  all  the  months,  marked 
more  by  the  universal  quickening  and  growth  of  believers  than 
by  the  multiplication  of  converts.  The  probationers  were  in- 
structed and  thoroughly  drilled  in  the  methods  of  a  godly 
life.  And  yet  a  large  number  of  persons  professed  conver- 
sion during  the  last  months  of  his  ministry.  In  the  families 
of  Judges  L- and  D ,  and  many  others,  he  was  emi- 
nently useful,  and  his  name  is  revered  as  a  household  word. 
Miss  Annie  Lewis,  afterward  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Erastus 
Wentworth,  whose  beautiful  life  closed  so  early  in  China,  was 
one  of  those  whose  character  he  greatly  assisted  to  fashion. 
But  I  will  allow  the  Rev.  W.  C.  Best,  of  West  Chester,  to  testify 
of  the  permanent  good  accomplished  during  these  years  : 

"  Mr.  Cookman  and  his  wife  were  received  with  open  arms 
and  warm  hearts,  for  his  reputation  as  a  man  of  humble  piety 
and  a  minister  of  uncommon  ability  had  preceded  him.  He  at 
once  took  a  position  in  the  community,  and  fully  retained  it 
until  his  removal,  such  as  none  of  his  predecessors  had  enjoyed. 
He  found  a  church  embarrassed  with  a  debt  of  three  thousand 
dollars  of  ten  years'  standing,  very  much  in  need  of  repairs, 
and  with  a  small  number  of  members,  and  they  by  no  means 
wealthy.  During  his  term  of  service  he  not  only  put  the  church 
in  thorough  repair,  but  paid  off  the  entire  debt.  He  found  here 
but  one  hundred  and  fifty-two  members.  At  the  end  of  his 
first  year  he  returned  one  hundred  and  seventy  members,  and 
seventy-five  probationers.  At  the  end  of  his  second  year  he 
reported  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  full  members,  and  twen- 
ty-six probationers.  The  church  was  always  full  when  Brother 
Cookman  was  to  preach.  He  had  larger  regular  congregations 
than  any  of  our  ministers  have  preached  to  here,  either  before 


STABLE   RESULTS    OF    HIS    EARLY   MINISTRY.  l6l 

or  since,  with  perhaps  a  single  exception,  and  that  was  during 
the  war. 

"  He  was  as  popular  in  other  churches  as  in  his  own.  Every 
body  loved  him,  and  spoke  of  him  as  the  lovely,  eloquent  Cook- 
man.  His  popularity  in  the  town  may  be  judged  of  from  the 
number  of  marriages  he  was  called  upon  to  perform.  Though 
the  town  was  small,  and  the  society  weak,  he  married  almost  as 
many  in  the  two  years  as  were  married  in  the  past  five  years, 
though  the  town  and  society  have  largely  increased  in  numbers. 
Of  those  converted  under  his  ministry  there  was  much  of  stable 
material.  One  minister  (Rev.  Thomas  Poulson),  two  of  the 
members  of  the  present  board  of  trustees,  and  several  others 
of  the  present  efficient  workers  in  our  Church,  were  part  of  the 
fruit  of  his  labor.  This  fruit,  remaining  after  the  lapse  of  twen- 
ty years,  certainly  speaks  favorably  of  the  character  of  the  re- 
vivals had  under  his  ministry.  It  is  but  fair  to  state  that  Broth- 
er Cookman  gave  an  impulse  and  position  to  Methodism  in 
West  Chester  such  as  it  never  had,  and  we  still  enjoy  the  bene- 
fits thereof.  Though  twenty  years  have  rolled  away  since  he 
labored  here,  his  name  is  still  like  'precious  ointment  poured 
forth,'  and  his  memory  is  deeply  revered  by  all  who  knew  him. 
He  is  still  called  the  most  popular  preacher  of  any  denomina- 
tion that  ever  statedly  ministered  in  West  Chester.  It  is  diffi- 
cult to  decide  which  was  the  stronger  attraction  for  the  people, 
his  unassuming  piety  and  sweet,  loving  spirit,  or  his  thrilling 
eloquence  that  so  enchained  the  multitudes." 

The  session  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference  in  1853  was  held 
at  Harrisburg,  the  capital  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
Cookman's  term  had  expired  at  West  Chester,  and  in  the  course 
of  the  administration  he  must  be  sent  to  a  new  charge.  He 
was  undoubtedly  the  most  popular  young  minister  in  the  Con- 
ference. Several  prominent  churches  within  his  Conference, 
and  some  from  beyond  it,  applied  for  his  services  ;  among  them 
none  pressed  its  claims  with  more  persistence  than  the  Locust 


162  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Street  Church,  Harrisburg,  the  seat  of  the  Conference.  The 
members  of  this  charge  were  on  the  spot ;  they  had  generously 
opened  their  homes  for  the  entertainment  of  the  preachers. 
Their  suit  prevailed ;  and  when  the  appointments  were  an- 
nounced, and  Alfred  Cookman  was  read  out  for  Locust  Street, 
the  crowded  audience  burst  into  a  tumult  of  applause. 

There  could  have  been  no  situation  better  suited  to  promote 
Mr.  Cookman's  self-development  and  to  extend  his  influence 
than  this  appointment.  The  borough  of  Harrisburg,  contain- 
ing about  8000  inhabitants,  was  beautifully  located  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Susquehanna  River,  and,  as  the  capital  of  the  state, 
was  a  point  where  controlling  business  and  political  interests 
concentrated.  In  the  winter  time  the  Legislature  drew  together 
not  only  the  members  of  the  state  government,  but  also  lead- 
ing men  having  ends  to  accomplish  with  the  government.  The 
Locust  Street  Church  was  conveniently  located,  and  very  soon 
his  zeal  and  eloquence  attracted  general  attention.  He  was 
elected  chaplain  of  the  House  of  Delegates,  was  selected  to 
offer  the  prayer  at  the  inauguration  of  Governor  Bigler,  and  at 
this  early  age  obtained  relatively  as  great  an  ascendency  over 
the  prominent  politicians  and  the  community  at  Harrisburg  as 
his  father  had  previously  done  over  all  classes  at  Washington. 
The  following  notice  of  his  preaching,  from  one  of  the  Harris- 
burg papers,  shows  the  estimate  in  which  he  was  held  : 

"  ELOQUENT  SERMON. — Rev.  Mr.  Cookman  preached  another  eloquent 
sermon  on  Sunday  evening.  *  *  *  The  whole  discourse  was  replete 
with  sublime  thoughts  and  beautiful  illustrations,  and  made  a  salutary  and 
we  trust  a  lasting  impression  upon  the  minds  of  the  large  and  attentive 
auditory.  One  secret  of  Mr.  Cookman's  popularity  and  success  as  a 
preacher  is  that  his  sermons  are  all  good,  and  that  whatever  emergen- 
cy calls  him  forth,  he  has  a  peculiar  faculty  of  happily  adapting  his  dis- 
course to  the  occasion.  We  have  observed  this  in  several  instances, 
when  Mr.  Cookman  has  delivered  impromptu  addresses  in  response  to 
unexpected  calls  made  upon  him.  We  like  his  sermons  on  account  of 
their  freshness  and  originality,  and  the  thoroughness  and  earnestness 


MINISTERIAL   ACTIVITY.  163 

with  which  they  are  delivered.  For  a  young  man  he  is  a  speaker  of  supe- 
rior ability.  He  has  been  thoroughly  educated,  and  has  all  the  finish  which 
literary  acquirements  can  bestow  upon  naturally  fine  powers  of  declamation. 
Mr.  Cookman  bids  fair  to  win  for  himself  a  reputation  for  pulpit  eloquence 
equal  to  that  enjoyed  by  his  eloquent  and  lamented  father." 

Toward  the  close  of  his  first  year  Mr.  Cookman  was  strongly 
urged  to  go  to  Pittsburgh  to  take  charge  of  a  new  Church  en- 
terprise in  that  city,  but  a  sense  of  duty  to  the  charge  he  already 
occupied  prevailed  over  the  urgent  invitation,  and  he  remained 
and  completed  the  full  term  of  two  years.  His  ministry  was 
highly  successful  in  adding  members  to  the  Church.  The  mul- 
titudes who  frequented  the  sanctuary  and  listened  to  his  beau- 
tiful imagery  and  forcible  appeals,  did  not  go  away  merely  en- 
chanted with  the  witchery  of  words  and  action ;  they  remained 
to  weep  for  their  sins,  and  "  to  lay  hold  of  the  hope  set  before 
them  in  the  Gospel."  If  the  preacher  culled  flowers  with  which 
to  please  the  fancy,  he  did  not  the  less  forge  and  hurl  sharp 
arrows  which  pierced  the  consciences  of  his  hearers.  At  the 
end  of  two  years  the  Church  had  gained  ninety  members  and 
seventy  probationers,  and  increased  equally  in  its  financial  and 
social  standing. 

Through  these  years  the  devoted  pastor  was  also  an  active 
itinerant,  going  hither  and  thither  throughout  the  state  and  in 
adjoining  states,  on  all  possible  errands  of  evangelistic  and  liter- 
ary labor.  Traces  of  him  appear  among  his  Baltimore  friends. 
It  will  be  recollected  that  his  father,  in  1835,  nad  written  in  a 
young  lady's  album.  During  a  visit  there,  on  the  opposite  page, 
he  gave  the  subjoined  exquisite  expression  of  filial  love : 

"Nineteen  years  have  elapsed  since  the  hand  of  my  beloved  father  pressed 
this  leaf;  and  I  can  not  express  the  gratification  I  feel  in  reading  the  beau- 
tiful incident  which  he  here  records,  and  in  availing  myself  of  the  opportunity 
of  penning  upon  the  back  of  the  same  leaf  a  slight  tribute  to  his  cherished 
memory. 

"  Although  a  mere  boy  when  he  imprinted  upon  my  cheek  a  burning  kiss 
and  whispered  in  my  ear  a  last  farewell,  yet  to-day  I  have  his  image  dis- 


164  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

tinctly  daguerreotyped  upon  my  spirit,  while  his  virtues  shall  ever  be  treas- 
ured as  the  very  choicest  jewels  in  the  casket  of  my  remembrance. 

"  With  a  largely  endowed  intellect,  he  possessed  a  capacious  heart,  which 
was  literally  filled  with  a  wealth  of  affection.  His  lively  interest  in,  and  his 
abiding  love  for  the  different  members  of  his  family,  forms  the  sweetest  rem- 
iniscence of  my  life.  Nor  was  his  love  confined  to  these.  Breathing  an  at- 
mosphere of  kindness,  he  drew  around  him  a  large  circle  of  dear  and  devoted 
friends.  *  *  * 

"  But  alas  !  the  withering  thought,  like  a  scorching  sirocco,  sweeps  over 
the  heart,  that  though  he  was,  yet  he  is  not.  To  use  his  own  eloquent 
language,  long  ere  this  '  the  sea-weed  may  have  become  his  winding-sheet, 
and  the  coral  rock  his  pillow ;'  but,  if  indeed  the  ocean  is  his  magnificent 
mausoleum,  the  rolling,  roaring  surge  his  solemn  requiem,  and  the  floating 
iceberg  his  only  tombstone,  we  encourage  our  hearts  with  the  revelation  that 
a  day  has  been  appointed  when  '  the  sea  shall  give  up  its  dead.'  Then, 
then  we  shall  meet  him  again,  and  be  reunited  in  a  world  where  '  love  shall 
wreathe  her  chain  around  us  forever.'  Oh  !  let  us  emulate  his  excellent  ex- 
ample, that  in  heaven  we  may  renew  and  eternally  perpetuate  our  affection- 
ate intercourse,  and  blend  our  voices  in  the  triumphant  hallelujahs  of  the 
skies.  ALFRED  COOKMAN. 

"  Harrisburg,  March  7,  1854." 

Mr.  Cookman  had  entered  the  field  as  a  lecturer,  and,  judg- 
ing from  the  comments  of  the  press,  obtained  no  mean  success  : 

"The  first  of  a  series  of  lectures  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
Fourth  Street,  of  this  city  (Philadelphia),  was  delivered  on  Thursday  evening 
of  last  week  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cookman,  of  Harrisburg.  The  subject  was  the 
Bible.  He  is  a  very  eloquent  man.  He  delivered  it  without  '  notes  ;'  and 
on  this  account  it  was  very  impressive.  There  was  a  peculiarity  in  it  which 
we  think  worthy  of  remark,  although  it  may  have  been  noticed  by  few  of  the 
audience.  It  was  this :  he  availed  himself  of  '  apt  alliterations'  artful  aid,' 
said  that  the  Bible  was  the  basis,  the  bond,  the  bulwark,  and  the  boast  of  free 
institutions.  It  was  the  basis,  because  we  derive  from  the  Bible  the  best 
principles  of  government,  and  that  from  it  alone  we  learn  the  lesson  of  self- 
government.  Other  books  take  up  the  subject  from  the  circumference,  and 
proceed  thence  to  the  centre ;  this  begins  at  the  centre,  and  works  out  to  the 
circumference.  In  other  words,  those  begin  with  society  at  large,  and  this 
with  the  individual.  *  *  * 

"He  showed  that  the  Bible  was  the  bond  of  our  institutions,  because  it 
taught  the  universal  brotherhood  of  Man,  and  knew  no  North,  no  South,  no 


IN   THE    FIELD    AS   A    LECTURER.  165 

East,  no  West.  He  showed  it  to  be  the  bulwark  of  our  Republic  by  compari- 
sons with  other  governments  in  other  days,  which  have  passed  away,  because 
they  had  not  the  principles  of  the  Bible  to  protect  them  from  vice  and  its 
destructive  tendencies.  And  he  concluded  by  showing  that  the  Bible  was 
the  boast  of  our  free  institutions,  because  it  was  designed  for  universal  ac- 
ceptance, and  was  universally  circulated  among  us  by  Protestant  Christianity, 
and  on  this  branch  of  his  subject  he  was  very  eloquent.  He  compared  the 
different  denominations,  when  met  together  to  promote  the  distribution  of 
the  Bible  in  our  happy  land,  and  from  thence  throughout  the  world,  to  a 
rainbow — all  the  colors  in  the  bow  being  distinctly  visible,  and  yet  happily 
harmonizing  in  one  beautiful  whole !  And  then  concluded  by  calling  upon 
us  as  American  citizens  to  protect  the  Bible  as  the  sheet-anchor  of  our  liber- 
ties, and  to  act  out  the  pretty  sentiment, '  We  won't  give  up  the  Bible.' " 

A  year  later  he  lectured  again  in  Philadelphia,  and  received 
from  another  paper  the  following  appreciative  notice : 

"  On  Monday  evening  we  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  the  fifth  lecture  of 
the  course  before  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  by  the  Rev.  Al- 
fred Cookman,  of  Pittsburgh.  The  Presbyterian  Church,  capacious  as  it  is, 
was  well  filled  with  a  cultivated  and  intelligent  audience.  The  lecturer's 
theme  was  Concentrated  Energy,  and  his  remarks  were  mainly  addressed  to 
the  young,  urging  upon  them,  in  language  at  once  argumentative,  forcible, 
and  eloquent,  the  necessity  of  a  fixed  purpose,  pursued  with  untiring  effort, 
or,  in  a  word,  of  concentrated  energy,  as  a  prerequisite  to  success  and  dis- 
tinction in  any  pursuit,  and  in  all  the  pursuits  of  life.  Mr.  Cookman's  style 
is  clear  and  perspicuous,  while  it  is  at  the  same  time  brilliant  and  ornate. 
His  voice,  which  is  perfectly  under  his  control,  is  remarkably  distinct,  mu- 
sical, and  sonorous,  and  his  manner  of  delivery  is  highly  oratorical  and  ef- 
fective. His  lecture  gave  unbounded  satisfaction,  and  placed  him  high  in 
the  opinion  of  our  people  as  a  finished  scholar  and  a  popular  speaker.  Mr. 
Cookman,  although  quite  a  young  man,  has  already  won  for  himself  an  en- 
viable reputation,  and,  if  his  life  and  health  are  spared,  he  will  undoubtedly 
before  many  years  stand  in  the  very  front  rank  of  the  ministry  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church." 

While  stationed  at  Harrisburg,  he  was  invited  to  deliver  the 
annual  sermon  before  "  The  Society  of  Evangelical  Inquiry  of 
Dickinson  College."  The  sermon  was  well  received,  and  es- 
tablished for  its  author  a  high  reputation  with  the  students.  In 
the  evening  of  the  same  day  on  which  this  sermon  was  deliver- 


l66  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

ed,  he  preached  at  the  Methodist  Church  in  the  town.  It  was 
the  first  time  he  had  been  in  the  old  church  since  he  was  a  boy 
in  his  father's  household.  Vivid  and  tender  were  the  memories 
which  rushed  upon  his  heart,  and  he  could  not  do  otherwise 
than  refer  to  his  father  and  the  occasion  of  his  own  conversion. 
We  are  so  fortunate  as  to  have  a  description  of  the  effects  of 
his  preaching  from  an  eye-witness,  the  Rev.  J.  Duey  Moore,  of 
the  Baltimore  Conference,  who  was  then  a  youth  resident  in  Car- 
lisle. Writing  to  the  Rev.  John  E.  Cookman,  he  says : 

"  I  remember,  when  I  was  a  boy,  your  brother  was  invited  to 
preach  in  Carlisle.  In  the  morning  he  preached  in  the  College 
Chapel,  and  at  night  in  the  old  church,  Main  Street,  the  same 
church  which  your  father  had  the  charge  of  in  other  days.  His 
theme  was  'the  Vision  of  Dry  Bones.'  The  church  was  crowd- 
ed. In  concluding  his  sermon,  he  referred  to  his  sainted  father 
in  a  most  touching  manner ;  the  effect  was  beyond  all  human 
description.  I  remember  hearing  an  old  minister  of  our  church 
who  had  sat  under  your  father's  ministry  say,  '  The  form  of 
George  Cookman  came  before  me  while  his  son  was  preaching, 
to  such  an  extent  that  I  was  carried  back  to  the  clays  when  the 
crowds  gathered  to  hear  what  I  regarded  the  best  pulpit  orator 
I  ever  listened  to.' 

"  After  concluding  his  sermon,  he  gave  an  account  of  his  con- 
version, which  took  place  in  that  church  when  he  was  quite 
young.  Speaking  of  it  he  said, '  Kneeling  there  (pointing  to  a 
bench  at  the  right  of  the  pulpit),  a  poor,  distressed  penitent,  a 
brother  in  Christ,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  by  the 
name  of  Mr.  Hamilton,  came  to  me  amid  my  sorrow,  and,  plac- 
ing his  hand  upon  my  head,  told  me  to  "  look  fully  to  Christ, 
and  He  would  save  me ;"  and  as  I  tried  to  do  as  he  told  me,  the 
darkness  gave  way,  and,  kneeling  there  with  this  dear  brother 
by  the  Cross,  great  light  and  peace  rested  upon  me.  I  was  for- 
given.' As  your  brother  had  not  heard  from  Mr.  Hamilton*  for 

*  Mr.  Hamilton  died  in  1873,  greatly  honored  and  beloved  by  the  people 
of  Carlisle. 


SERMON   AT   CARLISLE.  167 

years,  he  thought  he  had  passed  to  his  reward  ;  but  he  (Mr. 
Hamilton)  was  in  the  church,  and  just  as  soo'n  as  the  congre- 
gation was  dismissed  he  walked  to  the  altar  and  introduced 
himself  to  your  brother.  I  will  never  forget  their  meeting.  As 
the  people  were  retiring  from  their  pews,  their  eyes  caught  the 
venerable  form  of  Mr.  James  Hamilton  advancing  toward  the 
pulpit,  and,  as  all  eyes  followed  him  until  he  came  before  your 
brother,  they  waited  to  see  the  result.  Oh,  how  the  people  did 
weep  as  they  looked  upon  two  who  had  not  met  since  they  met 
amid  the  light  of  the  Cross — one  as  a  penitent,  then  crying 
'  Save  me  !'  the  other  saying,  '  Christ  can  save  !'  As  I  write  I 
think  I  can  see  myself  as  I  was  then,  holding  my  dear  sainted 
father's  hand  (he  was  an  intimate  friend  of  your  father  and 
brother),  and,  looking  up  into  his  face,  saw  the  tears  flowing 
down  his  cheeks  while  he  looked  upon  this  meeting." 

These  two  letters  to  his  wife  give  pleasant  glimpses  of  do- 
mestic love  and  pastoral  fidelity. 

To  his  wife,  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Cookman  : 

"  HARRISBURG,  Tuesday  morning, ,  1853. 

"  I  confidently  expected  to  hear  from  you  yesterday  morning,  and  felt  con- 
siderably disappointed  when  the  postman  reported  No.  51  empty.  The  little 
missive  arrived,  however,  last  night,  and  was  read  over  and  over  again. 
Your  assurances  of  unwavering  affection  were  very  grateful  to  my  feelings. 
In  this  world  of  insincere  profession  and  mere  external  manifestation,  it  is 
delightful  to  know  that  there  is  one  warm,  true  heart  in  which  you  may  con- 
fidingly repose.  The  genuineness  of  your  love  I  have  never  questioned  for 
an  instant ;  and,  next  to  the  Pearl  of  great  price,  prize  it  as  the  most  pre- 
cious of  my  heart's  jewels.  Be  assured  that  it  is  not  foolishly  expended.  I 
am  glad  that  our  dear  boys  continue  so  well.  May  God  in  His  providence 
spare  their  health  and  lives  many,  many  years.  They  are  two  beautiful, 
blessed  children,  for  whom  we  ought  to  be  profoundly  thankful  to  the  Giver 
of  every  good  and  perfect  gift.  I  am,  of  course,  very  anxious  to  have  you 
at  home  again.  All  is  desolation  in  your  absence.  Still,  if  you  are  realizing 
benefit  in  Columbia,  I  will  not  be  so  unwarrantably  selfish  as  to  urge  your 
return.  I  can  manage  to  exist,  and  will  willingly  live  in  hope  a  little  longer 
if  your  welfare  may  be  subserved.  Make  yourselves  comfortable,  get  fat  and 


1 68  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

strong,  and  come  home  when  you  feel  like  it.  Yesterday  was  another  pretty 
full  day.  In  the  morning  two  funerals — a  long  walk  in  the  hot  sun  and 
through  the  dust  from  the  cemetery — in  the  afternoon  running  round,  and  at 
night  a  class  to  lead.  I  breakfasted  at  D.'s,  dined  at  C.'s,  and  supped  at 
Z.'s,  with  Miss  Kate  M and  Mr.  Alpheus  W ,  who  returned  togeth- 
er from  P yesterday.  This  morning  I  breakfasted  again  at  D.'s,  shall 

dine  at  D.'s,  and  sup  at  C.'s.  My  neighbors  and  all  my  friends  are  very 
kind.  Part  of  every  afternoon  I  spend  with  poor  J ,  who  seems  perfect- 
ly resigned  and  composed  in  the  prospect  of  death.  Young  McM.'s  trial 

comes  on  next  week.     I  suppose  I  shall  hear  from  sister  D (who  has 

been  out  of  town  since  last  week)  all  the  particulars  respecting  the  contem- 
plated camp-meeting.  I  believe  I  have  given  you  all  the  news." 

"  HARRISBURG,  Wednesday  afternoon,  3  o'clock. 

"  I  have  just  finished  two  letters,  and  before  laying  aside  my  pen  will  drop 
you  a  line.  Here  I  am  at  my  study-table  again,  attending  to  correspond- 
ence and  other  matters.  Oh,  that  you  were  at  my  side !  Oh,  that  I  could 
look  around  and  see  the  faces  of  my  beautiful  boys  !  After  leaving  you  this 
morning  I  was  hurried  to  Lancaster,  where  I  spent  my  time  very  agreeably 

with  Mr.  E ,  at  Murray's  book-store,  and  with  Brother  Bishop  at  his 

parsonage.  Arrived  at  home  in  a  snow-storm.  Thought  that  perhaps  you 
would  accompany  me.  On  my  return  found  two  letters,  one  from  Heston, 
in  Reading,  the  other  from  Janes,  in  Chambersburg ;  both  asking  me  to 
come  to  their  help.  During  my  absence,  Mrs.  Wm.  C sent  a  large  mar- 
ket-basket full,  piled  up — about  four  pounds  of  almonds,  four  pounds  of 
raisins,  a  peck  of  chestnuts  and  shell-barks,  a  large  glass  of  calves'-foot 
jelly,  a  large  fruit-cake,  and  a  number  of  toys  for  the  children."  *  *  * 


CHAPTER  XI. 

MINISTRY  AT   CHRIST   CHURCH,  PITTSBURGH,  PA. — INCREASING 
FAME   AND   USEFULNESS. 

THE  Methodists  of  Pittsburgh  having  completed  their  new 
and  beautiful  Christ  Church,  renewed  their  invitation  to  Mr. 
Cookman  to  consent  to  be  transferred  to  take  the  charge 
of  it.  Their  solicitations  were  seconded  by  Bishop  Simpson, 
then  a  resident  of  Pittsburgh.  Notwithstanding  Mr.  Cookman's 
love  for  his  Conference,  in  view  of  the  advice  of  the  bishops 
and  the  noble  enterprise  at  Pittsburgh,  he  accepted  the  invita- 
tion, and  was  transferred  by  Bishop  Morris  in  the  spring  of 
1855.  It  was  not  without  regret  that  the  people  of  Harrisburg 
parted  with  him.  As  evidence  of  the  universal  respect  and  af- 
fection with  which  he  was  regarded,  I  quote  from  one  of  the 
newspapers  of  the  day : 

"  FAREWELL  SERMON. — Rev.  Mr.  Cookman  preached  his  farewell  sermon 
on  Sabbath  evening.  So  great  was  the  anxiety  to  hear  it  that  the  church 
was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity  at  an  early  hour,  and  a  large  number  of 
persons  were  unable  to  obtain  seats  at  all.  Mr.  Cookman  preached  a  dis- 
course eminently  appropriate  to  the  occasion,  and  was  more  than  ordinarily 
eloquent  and  impressive.  He  spoke  with  much  apparent  sincerity  and  feel- 
ing, and  a  large  portion  of  the  congregation  were  affected  to  tears.  Mr. 
Cookman  has  labored  in  this  community  for  two  years  with  great  success, 
and  was  respected  and  beloved  not  only  by  his  own  congregation,  but  by 
the  people  of  our  town  generally.  He  was  popular  with  all  classes  and  all 
denominations,  and  his  departure  is  universally  regretted.  lie  left  Harris- 
burg  yesterday  afternoon  for  Pittsburgh,  the  scene  of  his  future  ministerial 
labors,  carrying  with  him  the  heart-warm  blessings  of  hundreds  of  true 
friends.  May  the  largest  prosperity  attend  him." 

How  Mr.  Cookman  was  impressed  with  Pittsburgh  before  his 
transfer. 

H 


170  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

To  his  wife : 

"  PITTSBURGH,  Tuesday  afternoon,  June  14,  1854. 

*  *  *  "About  three  o'clock  the  train  came  thundering  along.  Finding 
seats  we  hurried  off,  and  until  day-dawn  dozed  away  the  tedious  moments. 
Then  the  scenery,  wild  and  majestic,  opened  upon  us,  which  of  course  we 
enjoyed  richly  and  to  the  end  of  our  journey.  Some  of  the  views  in  cross- 
ing the  mountain  transcend  any  thing  I  have  ever  beheld.  Without  acci- 
dent we  reached  Pittsburgh  in  good  time,  not  near  as  much  fatigued  as  I 
frequently  am  after  riding  to  Philadelphia.  You  will  feel  anxious  to  know 
what  I  think  of  Pittsburgh.  Well,  I  must  say  I  rather  like  it.  True,  there 
is  a  good  deal  of  smoke  and  the  houses  generally  look  cloudy,  but  it  is 
not  near  as  bad  as  I  anticipated.  The  buildings  are  good,  some  of  the 
residences  quite  elegant,  and  every  thing  seems  to  exhibit  the  spirit  of  ener- 
gy and  enterprise.  The  place  strongly  reminds  me  of  many  English  cities 
which  I  have  visited.  It  is  not  unlike  New  York,  more  like  it  certainly 
.than  Philadelphia.  I  fancy  that  like  myself  you  would  be  agreeably  disap- 
pointed in  Pittsburgh.  I  have  already  traversed  the  city  pretty  thoroughly  ; 
among  other  places  I  have  visited  the  new  Christ  M.  E.  Church,  and  do  not 
think  me  enthusiastic  or  extravagant  when  I  say  that  it  is  far,  far  ahead  of 
any  thing  in  the  form  of  a  Methodist  Church  I  have  ever  seen.  They  are 
about  finishing  the  basement,  which  is  very  handsomely  frescoed  and  fitted 
up  in  elegant  style.  The  audience-room  will  be  most  magnificent.  I  wan- 
dered through,  as  I  desired,  entirely  incognito.  If  I  can  I  will  procure  a  litho- 
graphic representation  of  the  edifice,  that  you  may  have  some  idea.  Well, 
now,  I  hear  you  say,  '  Just  as  I  expected  and  prophesied.  He  had  no  busi- 
ness to  go  to  Pittsburgh ;  a  convert  already.'  No,  dear,  I  would  prefer  to 
remain  in  the  Philadelphia  Conference  than  to  assume  the  responsibility 
which  would  devolve  upon  the  pastor  of  such  a  charge.  Very  much  would 
be  expected,  and  I  do  not  want  to  be  obliged  to  meet  such  expectations. 
Worse  things,  though,  you  may  rest  assured,  might  happen  to  us  than  being 
sent  to  Pittsburgh.  So  far  as  I  am  concerned,  with  my  beloved  Annie  and 
charming  boys,  I  could  be  perfectly  happy  in  a  cabin  on  the  tallest  peak 
of  the  Alleghanies.  It  is  your  presence  and  enthusiastic  love  which  covers 
my  path  with  sunshine  and  makes  me  a  happy  home  any  where.  You  need 
not  fear,  I  think,  a  transfer  to  Pittsburgh.  I  am  staying  at  the  City  Ifofd, 
kept  by  Messrs.  Glass  &  Chase,  gentlemen  who  have  treated  me  already 
with  very  marked  attention  and  favor.  I  wonder  how  you  all  are  this  even- 
ing. I  think  of  you  almost  constantly,  and  am  the  happiest  when  I  can  bask 
in  the  refreshing  radiance  of  your  sunny  faces.  Well,  I  believe  I  have  writ- 
ten all  that  I  have  to  communicate  just  now.  It  is,  I  fear,  an  illegible 


CHRIST   CHURCH. — ADMINISTRATIVE   SKILL.  171 

scrawl,  penned  in  the  midst  of  noise  and  confusion.  Puzzle  it  out,  however, 
and  when  you  have  done  kiss  yourself  over  and  over  again  for  one  who  loves 
you  better  than  all  the  world  beside.  Then  take  up  Bruner,  and  give  him  a 
dozen  for  his  papa ;  then  petty  Kenney,  and  let  her  have  an  equal  number. 

Mr.  Cookman  was  twenty-seven  years  of  age  when  appointed 
to  Christ  Church.  The  new  edifice,  of  the  Gothic  order  of 
architecture,  situated  on  Penn  Street,  was  then  the  costliest 
church  building  in  American  Methodism,  and  was  about  the 
first  decided  advance  in  the  new  movement  in  architectural 
beauty  in  Methodist  houses  of  worship.  The  number  of  mem- 
bers that  brought  this  laudable  undertaking  to  completion  was 
small.  They  were,  however,  men  of  means,  courage,  and 
prayer.  They  felt  that  the  right  man  in  the  pulpit  would  se- 
cure success.  No  higher  mark  of  confidence  could  have  been 
placed  on  Mr.  Cookman  than  that  he  should  be  selected  for  so 
important  a  position. 

The  sequel  proved  the  wisdom  of  the  choice.  Under  his 
control,  the  enterprise  moved  off  prosperously  from  the  begin- 
ning, and  the  most  sanguine  expectations  of  its  originators  were 
fulfilled.  Though  young  in  years,  he  was  a  man  of  experience  ; 
courageous,  and  at  the  same  time  cautious,  he  showed  both  the 
ardor  which  prepared  him  to  enter  fully  into  the  advanced  views 
of  his  official  men,  and  also  the  judgment  to  direct  their  ear- 
nestness with  the  steadiness  and  tact  which  insured  the  best  re- 
sults. His  power  to  attract  the  people  by  his  preaching  was 
to  be  tested  as  never  before.  Heretofore  his  churches  had 
been  "  free,"  and  this  was  "  pewed ;"  but  his  ability  was  at  once 
recognized,  and  his  church  was  speedily  filled.  His  faculty  as 
an  organizer  was  to  be  promptly  and  fully  proved,  and  that,  too, 
under  circumstances  peculiar  arid  trying — but  here,  as  in  the 
pulpit,  he  showed  himself  eminently  capable.  It  is  doubtful  if 
there  be  any  surer  test  of  the  ability  of  a  minister  for  adminis- 
tration as  well  as  preaching  and  pastoral  work  than  the  suc- 
cessful guidance  of  a  great  and  powerful  Church,  especially  in 


172  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

the  forming  periods  of  its  existence.  To  balance  all  conflicting 
claims,  to  keep  all  the  forces  in  accord,  to  incorporate  new  ele- 
ments with  the  old  without  violence,  to  evoke  and  start  enter- 
prises into  safe  and  effective  channels,  to  impress  all  the  work- 
ers and  all  the  methods  with  a  thoroughly  spiritual  stamp — all 
this  requires  talents  of  a  high  order,  and  talents  well  poised. 
The  native  sense  and  the  admirable  discernment  of  Mr.  Cook- 
man  were  never  more  displayed,  before  or  since,  than  in  the 
management  of  the  affairs  of  Christ  Church. 

But  while  busy  with  his  new  charge  in  the  first  months  of  his 
pastorate,  he  does  not  forget  the  fond  mother  from  whom  he 
was  so  far  separated.  Could  there  be  a  more  affectionate  expres- 
sion, alike  creditable  to  him  and  to  her,  than  this  letter  ?  I  give 
it  with  its  italicizing  retained. 

To  his  mother,  Mrs.  Mary  Cookman  : 

"  PITTSBURGH,  May  25,  1855. 

"  Will's  letter  reached  us  this  week,  bringing  the  unwelcome  intelligence 
that  you  have  been  seriously  ill.  At  such  a  time  we  feel  it  to  be  a  duty  and 
a  privilege  to  take  up  our  pen  and  express  our  sympathy  and  undying  love. 
Your  children  may  sometimes  exhibit  a  censurable  carelessness  and  indiffer- 
ence, but  believe  me  there  underlies  their  conduct  as  enthusiastic  affection 
for  their  mother  as  ever  found  a  place  in  a  human  heart.  The  effect  of 
your  instructions,  and  the  influence  of  your  kind,  gentle  nature,  have  been  to 
win  every  noble  feeling  of  which  they  are  capable,  and  if  they  were  to-day 
severally  interrogated  who  is  the  best  and  purest  among  human  kind,  they 
would  unhesitatingly  answer,  ''Our  mother !'  I  have  no  greater  happiness 
than  to  sit  down  and,  in  connection  with  the  eventful  past,  dwell  upon  those 
virtues  which  you  so  beautifully  developed  in  the  midst  of  your  family,  and 
think  of  that  ceaseless  and  self-denying  love  which  always  shed  sunshine  on 
our  home.  It  was  and  is  a  happy  home  !  the  remembrance  of  which  shall 
be  dear  to  our  hearts  through  the  entire  period  of  our  earthly  pilgrimage. 
Thank  you,  dear  mother,  a  thousand  times  over,  for  your  gushing  sympathy, 
your  faithful  instructions,  your  consistent  and  beautiful  example,  your  jealous 
care  and  unremitting  efforts  for  the  happiness  and  welfare  of  your  children. 
You  have  been  not  only  a  good  mother,  but  the  best  of  mothers.  Our  appre- 
ciation of  your  character  and  services  increases  with  our  age  ;  and  when  you 
are  safely  housed  in  glory,  we  will  often  come  together  and  wonder  that  one 


INTRODUCTION    TO   THE   PITTSBURGH   CONFERENCE.        173 

so  pure  and  lovely  was  so  long  lent  to  us  and  the  world.  My  burning  tears 
attest  the  sincerity  of  the  feelings  I  express — feelings  which  are  largely  shared 
by  every  member  of  your  beloved  family.  Even  Will,  whom  you  occasion- 
ally deem  a  little  headstrong  and  unmanageable,  tells  me  in  his  letter  that  re- 
quirements which  once  seemed  irksome  to  his  independent  nature  are  now 
regarded  in  an  entirely  different  light.  It  is  his  highest  delight  to  serve  and 
gratify  her  whom  he  feels  to  be  his  best  and  truest  friend.  The  loss  of  his 
mother,  he  states,  would  blot  out  every  earthly  joy,  and  make  him  almost 
wish  for  the  oblivion  of  the  death-slumber.  Shall  I  ask  you  to  excuse  this 
spontaneous  outburst  of  filial  feeling  ?  This,  I  am  sure,  will  not  be  neces- 
sary, for  while  it  has  relieved  my  overflowing  heart,  it  may,  perhaps,  kindle 
a  pleasurable  feeling  in  the  bosom  of  one  whom  I  ivotdd  be  proud  to  make 
happy.  I  hope  by  this  time  your  sickness  has  been  arrested,  and  you  are 
able  to  attend  to  your  domestic  duties.  When  you  feel  that  you  can  con- 
veniently and  comfortably  take  up  your  pen,  we  shall  be  most  happy  to  re- 
ceive one  of  your  thrice-welcome  letters.  In  the  mean  while  charge  one  of 
the  fraternity  to  act  as  your  amanuensis,  and  let  us  at  least  know  the  state 
of  your  health  and  the  course  of  domestic  affairs.  The  children  exhibit  ev- 
ery day  some  new  charm,  some  fresh  attraction.  Next  week  the  Western 
Virginia  Conference  meets  in  Wheeling.  If  nothing  should  prevent,  I  think 
I  will  join  a  company  of  preachers  and  go  down  for  a  day  or  two.  The 
Pittsburgh  Conference  meets  in  Johnstown  on  the  i3th  of  June." 

Mr.  Cookman  had  been  transferred,  and  had  entered  upon 
his  work  in  advance  of  the  session  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conference. 
The  transfer  to  a  new  Conference  involved  a  trial  to  him,  as  it 
would  to  any  man  of  like  refined  nature,  and  it  was  with  no  little 
misgiving  that  he  looked  forward  to  the  session.  A  transfer 
for  the  express  purpose  of  being  appointed  to  the  grandest  and 
wealthiest  Church  of  the  Conference,  would  be  likely  to  render 
him  an  object  of  a  somewhat  careful  and  cool  attention.  His 
fame  had  preceded  him — would  he  measure  up  to  it?  His 
praise  was  in  all  the  churches — was  he  proud  and  reserved  ? 
These  and  such  questions  would  occur  to  brethren  and  to  him. 
Methodist  preachers  are  but  men,  and,  like  other  men,  they  do 
not  relish  being  dispossessed  by  strangers  of  the  fields  which 
their  own  hard  toil  has  made  to  bud  and  bloom. 

But  it  was  impossible  for  a  body  of  good  men  to  have  hard 


174  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

feelings  toward  Alfred  Cookman.  He  had  only  to  show  him- 
self among  his  brethren,  and  all  prejudice  was  disarmed.  From 
youth  there  was  that  in  him  which  transfused  the  hearts  of  all 
with  love  and  confidence.  The  Pittsburgh  preachers  were  won 
by  his  first  looks  and  words.  He  impressed  them  as  a  true 
Methodist  preacher,  with  a  single  aim,  with  all  the  instincts  and 
habits  of  his  brethren,  and  that  he  had  come  to  Pittsburgh  not 
for  the  sake  of  position,  but  for  the  good  of  souls  and  the  weal 
of  Methodism.  His  honors  seemed  to  sit  so  lightly  upon  him, 
his  whole  demeanor  in  public  and  private  was  so  savory  of  gen- 
uine modesty  and  deep  piety,  that,  with  a  quickness  and  gener- 
osity so  distinctive  of  their  class,  the  ministers  immediately  ex- 
tended to  him  the  entente  cordiale,  which  henceforth  made  him 
happy  among  them.  A  letter  from  the  seat  of  the  Conference 
shows  as  much. 

To  his  wife,  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Cookman  : 

"JOHNSTOWN,  PA.,  June  15, 1855. 

"  A  pleasant  fide  in  company  with  a  number  of  preachers  brought  me  to 
this  mountain  town  about  eleven  o'clock.  We  immediately  proceeded  to 
the  Methodist  Church,  where  we  found  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  transact- 
ing business.  It  was  the  work  of  only  a  few  minutes  to  introduce  me  form- 
ally to  the  Conference,  and  for  the  Conference  to  receive  my  money  for  the 
superannuated  and  supernumerary  preachers.  In  presenting  this  collection, 
I  took  occasion  to  make  a  few  remarks  complimentary  to  the  Church  which 
I  represent.  The  brethren  generally  have  extended  to  me  a  cordial  wel- 
come, and  I  begin  to  feel  more  at  home.  Yesterday  afternoon  the  Sunday- 
school  anniversary  occurred.  Addresses  were  delivered  by  a  Brother  Little, 
of  the  Erie  Conference,  Brother  Torrence,  and  Dr.  Peck.  In  the  evening 
Brother  Torrence  preached  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  Brother 
Williams  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  I  concluded  to  hear  the  latter,  and 
really  was  very  much  pleased.  Indeed,  I  doubt  if  they  have  a  better  in  the 
Conference.  Strange  to  tell,  I  have  found  some  little  difficulty  in  getting  one 
of  the  magnates  to  leave  the  seat  of  the  Conference.  Brother  Torrence  and 
some  member  of  the  Conference  will,  I  think,  consent  to  preach  at  Christ 
Church  on  the  Sabbath.  The  missionary  anniversary  comes  off  on  Saturday 
evening,  and  the  brethren,  as  with  one  accord,  desire  and  request  that  I  re- 
main to  speak  and  preach  on  Sabbath  morning  in  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


PUBLIC    DEMANDS. AN    EFFECTIVE   SPEECH.  175 

These  services,  with  a  Bible  speech  on  Monday  evening,  will  perhaps  make 
it  proper  for  me  to  tarry  in  Johnstown,  instead  of  returning  on  Saturday,  as 
I  had  originally  intended.  I  have  thought  a  great  deal  about  you  since  my 
departure.  My  wife  and  sons  are  the  dearest  idols  of  my  affections,  and  I 
am  never  so  happy  as  when  I  have  you  by  my  side.  My  home  in  Johnstown 

is  at  the  house  of  a  Mr.  J ,  the  superintendent  of  extensive  iron-works  in 

this  place.  The  family  are  recently  from  Tennessee,  and  exhibit  all  the 
blandness  and  affection  of  Southern  nature.  Bishop  Morris,  Brothers  Hop- 
kins and  Torrence,  are  colleagues  in  these  comforts.  The  people  do  the 
best  they  can,  but,  I  apprehend,  find  themselves  considerably  crowded." 

The  demands  on  Mr.  Cookman  for  outside  work  increased, 
as  from  this  prominent  point  the  circle  of  his  reputation  con- 
stantly widened.  From  all  directions  the  calls  for  special 
services  flooded  his  table — requests  for  dedicating  churches, 
for  addresses,  lectures,  and  all  kinds  of  efforts  in  aid  of  old  and 
new  causes. 

An  address  delivered  during  this  period  in  Philadelphia,  at 
Music  Fund  Hall,  on  behalf  of  the  Bedford  Street  Mission  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  was  probably  one  of  the  most 
effective  of  his  life.  It  was  elaborately  prepared,  and  was  de- 
livered in  his  happiest  style.  The  impression  was  deep,  imme- 
diate, and  abiding.  His  vehement  oratory  swept  the  vast  audi- 
ence whithersoever  he  listed.  He  and  the  cause  he  pleaded 
were  from  that  evening,  if  they  had  not  been  previously,  thor- 
oughly intrenched  in  the  hearts  of  the  hearers.  Back  again 
among  his  early  friends  a  visitor,  he  came  freighted  with  the  best 
thoughts  he  could  command,  his  soul  in  closest  sympathy  with 
missions  among  the  destitute,  and  his  nature  fired  by  old  associ- 
ations and  glowing  with  the  love  of  Jesus,  he  rose  with  the  hour, 
the  place,  the  audience,  and  it  was  thought  by  many  that  they 
had  rarely,  if  ever,  listened  to  a  more  powerful,  popular  address. 

The  letter  which  follows,  written  to  his  youngest  brother, 
John,  now  the  Rev.  John  E.  Cookman,  a  member  of  the  New 
York  Conference,  will  be  read  with  interest.  His  views  on 
Biblical  schools  may  be  regarded  by  some  as  behind  the  times. 


176  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Yet  the  ground  of  his  objections  were  felt  to  be  weighty  by 
many  minds  as  recently  as  fifteen  years  ago.  Even  now  there 
are  a  few  in  other  denominations  besides  the  Methodist  who 
have  grave  questionings  as  to  the  positive  benefit  of  the  training 
of  theological  schools.  It  is  feared  by  them  that  it  tends  to 
make  machine  men,  to  quench  native  fire ;  to  create  genera- 
tions of  preachers  who  will  carry  from  the  seminary  too  much 
the  tone  and  manner  of  a  "  faculty ;"  that,  while  it  may  produce 
theologians,  it  will  educate  the  students  too  far  away  from  the 
people  to  fit  them  as  preachers  for  the  masses,  and  so  raise  up 
ministers  for  this  and  coming  ages  who  will  not  be,  in  all  re- 
spects, as  effective  and  successful  as  those  hitherto  known  in 
Methodism. 

Although  it  is  now  conceded  that  theological  schools  have 
become  a  necessity  of  the  Church,  yet  I  regard  it  as  no  discredit 
to  our  friend  that  he  cherished  and  expressed  the  feelings  con- 
tained in  this  letter.  It  is  for  those  who  have  the  charge  of  these 
schools  to  see  to  it  that  his  fears  and  the  fears  of  thousands  as 
sincerely  devoted  to  the  Church  are  not  realized.  Said  Robert 
Hall  of  the  learned  Kippis,  "  He  might  be  a  very  clever  man 
by  nature,  for  aught  I  know,  but  he  laid  so  many  books  upon 
his  head  that  his  brains  could  not  move."  Vital  force,  springing 
from  the  heart  as  the  motor — the  one  indispensable  condition 
of  effective  preaching — was  what  our  friend  believed  more  and 
more  with  each  succeeding  year  of  his  ministry.  Goethe  says  : 

"  What  you  don't  feel,  you'll  never  catch  by  hunting  ; 

It  must  gush  out  spontaneous  from  the  soul ; 
And  with  a  fresh  delight  enchanting 
The  hearts  of  all  that  hear,  control." 

To  his  brother,  Mr.  John  E.  Cookman : 

"  PITTSBURGH,  July  22, 1856. 

"  To  say  that  your  letter  afforded  me  great  pleasure,  expresses  but  feebly 
the  real  feelings  of  my  heart.  While  I  know  that  you  had  always  associated 
with  your  future  the  work  of  the  ministry,  still  I  began  to  fear  that  business 
and  the  world  were  becoming  so  attractive  and  absorbing  that  you  would 


COUNSELS   TO    HIS   YOUNGEST    BROTHER.  177 

be  diverted  from  a  nobler  and  more  useful  sphere.  What  was  my  joy,  then, 
to  hear  from  yourself  that  your  present  employments  failed  to  satisfy  the  de- 
sires and  ambition  of  your  nature,  and,  in  obedience  to  conscientious  convic- 
tions, you  felt  like  preparing  yourself  to  do  the  work  of  an  evangelist. 

"  From  personal  experience  I  know  the  importance,  aye,  the  necessity 
of  divine  help  and  strength  in  a  situation  similar  to  that  in  which  you  are 
placed.  Therefore,  while  I  will  most  cheerfully  render  you  such  advice  and 
assistance  as  may  be  in  my  power,  at  the  same  time  I  would  impress  you 
with  the  propriety  and  advantage  of  fleeing  to  the  strong  for  strength.  Hide 
yourself  in  God.  Trust  for  providential  direction,  and  you  shall  not  stray 
or  stumble.  The  God  of  the  fatherless,  in  so  important  a  step  as  that  which 
you  contemplate,  will  certainly  and  satisfactorily  exhibit  a  superintending 
agency,  and  in  the  future  you  will  review  the  whole  with  gratitude  and  joy. 
My  first  and  most  fervent  counsel,  therefore,  would  be  that  you  yield  your- 
self up  fully  unto  God.  Let  no  idol,  no  secret  sin,  no  unwillingness  to  toil 
or  sacrifice  or  suffer,  debar  you  from  the  full  realization  of  your  privileges 
in  the  Gospel  of  God's  dear  Son.  However  imperfect  your  mental  and 
physical  developments  may  seem  to  yourself,  there  is  no  reason  why,  as  a 
Christian,  you  should  not  rival  a  Fletcher,  a  McCheyne,  a  Summerfield,  in 
their  almost  seraphic  purity  and  zeal  and  devotion.  Attend,  then,  to  the 
all-important  subject  of  personal  piety  in  the  first  instance,  and  I  have  no 
fear  for  the  rest.  God  will  overrule  all  for  your  benefit  and  His  glory. 

"  With  respect  to  the  importance  or  advantage  of  a  college  course,  I  am 
not  entirely  clear  or  satisfied.  Had  you  not  spent  four  years  in  the  Phila- 
delphia High-School,  I  should  not  be  in  so  much  doubt.  I  remember,  how- 
ever, that  you  have  acquired,  to  a  considerable  extent,  habits  of  study;  you 
have  obtained  pretty  general  information  on  the  different  branches  of  sci- 
ence, which  will  serve  as  a  foundation  on  which  to  build  in  the  future ;  you 
have  received  regularly  and  legitimately  the  degree  of  A.B.,  which  of  course 
will  be  followed  in  due  time  with  an  A.M.  In  these  respects  you  are  very 
far  in  advance  of  a  large  majority  of  those  who  are  admitted  to  our  Method- 
ist itinerancy.  Then,  when  I  think  of  the  associations  and  influences  which 
are  found  in  most  colleges,  I  tremble  lest  my  cherished  brother,  for  whose 
success  I  am  so  deeply  concerned,  should  be  moved  off  the  sure  foundation. 
A  Biblical  institute,  as  a  substitute  for  a  college,  has  been  presented  to  my 
mind,  but  here  again  I  have  my  difficulties.  I  should  fear  that  its  influence 
would  be  to  subdue  that  enthusiasm  which  I  believe  will  prove  in  the  future 
your  charm  and  your  power. 

"  The  truth  is,  I  am  only  about  half-persuaded  in  my  mind  respecting  the 
advantages  of  such  schools.  I  compare  the  genuine  Methodist  preacher, 

H  2 


1 78  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

whose  soul  is  one  blaze  of  holy  zeal — whose  mind,  self-disciplined,  is  filled 
with  practical  and  profitable  truth — whose  aim  is  so  single  that  his  whole 
life  is  a  striking  commentary  upon  the  sentiment, '  This  one  thing  I  do ' — 
who  goes  through  the  world  like  fire  through  the  prairie  ;  I  say  I  compare 
such  a  one  with  a  critical,  metaphysical,  Germanized  student  of  divinity, 
who,  perhaps,  looks  as  blue  and  feels  as  cold  as  if  he  had  been  shivering 
in  an  ice-house,  and  who  preaches  as  stiffly  as  if  his  lips  and  heart  and 
arms  had  all  been  literally  frozen.  There  is  no  kind  of  doubt  but  I  can  find 
self-made  men  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  who  are  not  only  equal 
but  superior  to  others  of  our  own  and  sister  denominations  who  can  boast 
the  advantages  of  literary  and  theological  training.  With  respect,  however, 
to  this  matter,  I  would  not  determine  for  you.  If  you  feel  that  college  studies 
would  increase  your  mental  discipline  as  no  other  exercise  could,  I  would 
not  utter  a  word  of  discouragement,  but  rather  a  hearty  '  God-speed?  I  am 
rather  inclined  to  the  conclusion  that  Brush  College,  after  all,  will  prove  the 
best  school  for  the  development  of  your  physical  and  intellectual  powers. 
If  you  could  spend  the  autumn  and  winter  in  reading,  composing,  and  exer- 
cising as  opportunity  might  offer,  and  in  the  spring  take  an  easy  circuit,  as 
for  instance  Village  Green  or  Springfield,  I  believe  that  you  would  accom- 
plish as  much  for  yourself  and  for  the  Church  as  you  would  by  conjugating 
Latin  verbs  and  studying  heathen  mythology.  If  you  feel  inclined  to  this 
latter  course,  my  home  and  humble  services  are  at  your  disposal.  I  appre- 
ciate the  peculiarity  and  perplexities  of  your  situation,  and,  while  I  scarcely 
feel  prepared  to  advise,  would  earnestly  counsel  that  you  seek  wisdom  from 
God,  who  giveth  liberally  and  upbraideth  not." 

Mr.  Cookman  was  able  to  go  up  to  the  session  of  the  Pitts- 
burgh Conference  in  1856  with  a  good  showing  for  the  year. 
The  number  of  members  had  increased  from  ninety  to  one 
hundred  and  thirty-two,  and  twenty-six  probationers.  He  re- 
ported $738  for  the  general  missionary  collection,  and  $300 
for  the  Bible  cause — remarkable  advances  upon  all  former  con- 
tributions. At  the  seat  of  the  Conference  he  was  called  upon 
to  speak,  in  connection  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Durbin  and  others, 
on  the  occasion  of  the  anniversary  of  the  Conference  Mission- 
ary Society.  A  correspondent  of  the  Pittsburgh  Christian  Ad- 
vocate wrote  of  the  speeches : 

"  The  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman,  of  Penn  Street  Church,  Pittsburgh,  and  Dr. 
John  P.  Durbin  electrified  the  audience  with  two  of  the  most  powerful 


PREACHING  AND   SPEAKING   AT   THE   CONFERENCE.        179 

speeches  to  which  it  has  been  our  privilege  to  listen.  Cookman  is  a  gifted 
son  of  eloquence,  and  nature  has  given  him  a  most  exuberant  fancy.  His 
speeches  abound  in  the  most  gorgeous  imagery,  and  in  this  respect  he  is 
said  to  resemble  his  distinguished  father.  Of  Durbin,  as  a  great  thinker 
and  a  great  orator,  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  speak.  He  presented  some 
most  striking  thoughts  on  the  subject  of  missions.  Cookman's  speech  might 
be  said  to  abound  with  the  lightning-flashes  of  genius,  while  Durbin  followed 
in  one  continued  thunder-roll  of  ponderous  thought" 

The  same  correspondent  noticed  Mr.  Cookman's  sermon  on 
the  Sabbath,  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  these  terms : 

"  We  would  as  soon  think  of  daguerreotyping  the  storm,  or  with  our  feeble 
voice  of  imitating  the  roar  of  the  thunder,  as  to  undertake  to  convey  to  our 
readers  the  impression  made  by  Cookman's  sermon.  Certain  we  are  that 
of  all  who  heard  it,  no  one  will  forget  it." 

Writing,  also,  of  a  Bible  speech  he  made  at  the  same  session, 
he  said  it  was  "  a  speech  such  as  no  man  but  one  of  his  pecul- 
iar gifts  could  make." 

These  descriptions,  while  due  allowance  may  be  made  for 
the  enthusiasm  excited  by  the  youth  of  Mr.  Cookman,  give 
proof  of  the  high  appreciation  in  which  his  gifts  were  held  by 
one  who  was  probably  a  member  of  the  Conference.  They 
also  show  the  tireless  energy  of  the  young  minister  in  thus 
standing  forward  on  three  important  occasions  to  plead  in 
causes  of  the  first  magnitude.  Neither  then  nor  afterward  did 
the  thought  of  saving  himself  or  his  capital  z.\ox  seem  to  enter 
his  mind.  What  he  could  do  for  the  Master  was  done  to  the 
best  of  his  ability,  and  there  the  matter  rested. 

The  following  letters  reveal  the  depth  of  his  religious  and 
domestic  affections. 

To  his  wife,  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Cookman  : 

"  PITTSBURGH,  Saturday  night, ,  1856. 

"  How  thankful  I  was  for  your  letter,  breathing  so  much  of  true  devotion. 
I  assure  you  that  it  came  to  me  in  my  desolation  like  an  angel  of  light.  I 
need  not  say  that  your  enthusiastic  affection  finds  the  very  warmest  recipro- 
cation in  my  heart.  To  say  that  you  are  the  dearest  object  of  my  heart  and 


l8o  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

life,  is  to  tell  the  truth  but  feebly.  How  I  thank  God  that  I  was  ever  per- 
mitted to  gaze  upon  your  sunny  face  and  claim  you  as  my  own.  God  bless 
you,  precious  Annie,  and  spare  your  valuable  life  many,  many  years. 

"  Last  evening  I  met  all  my  young  members.  The  room  was  quite  filled 
with  those  converted  through  my  unworthy  instrumentality.  I  think  they 
promise  not  a  little  to  the  Church.  This  afternoon  I  had  the  Sabbath-school 
together.  Our  meeting  was  very  pleasant  and  profitable.  To  my  great  joy, 
quite  a  number  of  General  Conference  delegates  arrived  to-day.*  The 
prospect  is  that  I  will  be  relieved  from  preaching  on  the  morrow.  Dr. 
Hodgson  stayed  with  me  last  night,  but  went  on  this  morning.  Dr.  McClin- 
tock  and  Rev.  A.  A.  Reese  dined  at  Dr.  W.'s  to-day.  I  was  one  of  the 
invited.  *  *  * 

"  I  am  still  at  Mr.  S.'s.  They  do  every  thing  in  their  power  to  render  me 
happy  and  comfortable.  I  suppose  you  are  this  evening  at  the  Columbia 
homestead.  Two  letters  mailed  during  the  week  would  probably  await  your 
arrival.  Have  I  not  proven  a  faithful  correspondent  ?  Well,  I  deserve 
little  credit,  as  it  is  really  no  ordinary  happiness  for  me  to  sit  down  and 
commune  through  even  this  unsatisfactory  medium  with  her  who  is  all  the 
world  to  me — especially  when  I  know  my  letters  are  adding  to  your  pleasure. 

"  Kiss  my  boys  for  poor  pa.  Tell  them  that  I  intend  to  bring  up  their 
carriage  out  of  the  cellar,  and  have  it  all  ready  for  their  occupancy  and  use. 
'  Billy '  keeps  quiet  and  well,  not  objecting  to  see  his  little  masters.  He  is 
all  ready  for  a  ride." 

To  his  wife,  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Cookman: 

«  PITTSBURGH,  Tuesday  afternoon,  April  29, 1856. 

"  Your  letter  written  on  Friday  evening  came  to  hand  on  Monday.  I  feel 
glad  and  grateful  that  our  Heavenly  Father  cares  for  your  health  and  safety 

and  happiness.     Young  S informed  me  on  Sabbath  night  that  he  had 

seen  you  and  the  children  on  Saturday  in  Columbia.  The  very  fact  that  he 
had  seen  you  so  recently  excited  no  little  interest  in  my  mind.  I  am  man- 
aging to  exist  in  your  absence.  It  is  not  living,  and  yet  I  bear  it  because  I 
think  that  you  are  happier  in  the  East  than  you  would  be  perhaps  in  Pitts- 
burgh. You  know  that  your  comfort  is  my  rule  and  constant  object.  The 
smoky  city,  however,  is  not  the  worst  place  in  the  creation.  The  people  are 
very  kind,  and  there  is  a  great  deal  to  render  a  residence  here  desirable  and 
delightful. 

"  My  friends  (the  S.'s)  are  unremitting  in  their  attentions.  God  forbid 
that  I  should  forget  their  friendly  treatment. 

*  On  their  way  to  Indianapolis. 


CONVERSION   OF   W.  W.  COOKMAN.  l8l 

"  On  Sabbath  I  was  relieved  from  preaching.  The  Rev.  Norval  Wilson,  of 
Baltimore,  occupied  the  pulpit  in  the  morning,  and  the  Rev.  William  Coop- 
er, of  Philadelphia,  in  the  evening ;  two  very  good  sermons.  Next  Sabbath 
we  commence  our  afternoon  service.  Of  course  /deprecate  the  change. 

"  You  must  have  had  a  very  charming  visit  to  Philadelphia.  It  will  furnish 
matter  for  delightful  retrospect  and  conversation  for  months  to  come." 

To  his  brother,  Mr.  William  Wilberforce  Cookman,  on  re- 
ceiving the  news  of  his  conversion  : 

"  PITTSBURGH,  February  19, 1857. 

"  Tuesday's  mail  brought  the  most  delightful  letter  I  have  received  for  a 
very  long  time.  It  was  a  letter  from  dear  mother,  filled  with  the  details  of 
your  conversion.  Like  our  precious  parent,  I  have  been  specially  concerned 
for  your  religious  welfare.  Two  or  three  times  this  winter  I  have  been  on 
the  point  of  addressing  you  a  few  lines.  As  my  protracted  meeting  has  pro- 
gressed, I  have  not  only  thought  of  you,  but  in  prayer  have  wrestled  for  your 
salvation.  How  rejoiced,  then,  was  I,  to  learn  that  you  had  resolutely  es- 
poused the  cause  of  the  Saviour,  and  were  triumphing  in  a  consciousness  of 
sins  forgiven.  Indeed,  when  I  read  mother's  letter,  the  fountains  of  my  nat- 
ure broke  open,  and  I  poured  forth  copious  tears  of  thankfulness  and  joy. 
This  morning  your  fraternal  epistle  came  to  hand,  and,  as  I  glanced  over  its 
lines  in  returning  from  the  post-office,  I  found  that  my  cup  was  again  run- 
ning over.  Bless  the  Lord,  oh  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  and 
praise  His  holy  name.  I  am  delighted  that  your  experience  is  of  so  definite 
and  satisfactory  a  character.  This  is  desirable,  not  only  because  it  adds  to 
the  sum  of  our  peace  at  the  present,  but  because  it  constitutes  our  conver- 
sion a  great  landmark  in  our  life,  to  which,  in  future  years,  we  can  revert 
with  special  pleasure  and  profit.  You  may  expect  in  the  future  to  suffer 
through  manifold  and  powerful  temptations  ;  still,  if  in  the  midst  of  the  trial 
you  will  only  maintain  your  integrity  and  Christian  profession,  the  tempta- 
tion or  temptations  shall  really  answer  a  good  purpose  in  establishing  your 
faith  and  strengthening  your  godly  virtues.  It  is  in  the  storm  or  tempest 
that  the  sailor  learns  what  he  never  could  have  learned  if  all  around  had 
continued  calm  and  prosperous  ;  then,  of  all  times,  he  is  becoming  the  prac- 
ticed and  thorough  seaman.  When  tempted  or  tried,  remember  the  Rock 
that  is  higher  than  thou.  Go  to  God ;  with  the  simplicity  of  a  son  or  a  child, 
tell  Him  all  your  doubts  and  fears  and  desires ;  plead  the  promises  of  His 
Word ;  and,  as  in  thousands  of  instances,  so  in  your  case,  He  will  surely 
make  a  way  for  your  escape.  I  need  not  represent  the  advantage  and  im- 
portance of  a  daily  reading  of  the  Holy  Scriptures.  This  is  an  exercise 


182  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

which  you  appreciate  and  will  observe.  Neither  need  I  dwell  upon  the  ne- 
cessity of  frequent  prayer.  Morning,  noon,  and  night  you  will  be  found  be- 
fore God,  pouring  your  wants  and  requests  into  His  ever-attentive  ear. 
Have  you  joined  the  Church  ?  Remember  that  this  is  not  only  a  great  privi- 
lege, but  a  scriptural  duty.  You  will  find  within  the  pale  of  the  Christian 
Church  sympathy  and  assistance  as  they  can  not  be  found  elsewhere.  Unit-  , 
ing  yourself  with  a  class,  lay  it  down  as  a  principle  or  rule  of  your  life  al- 
ways to  attend  when  it  is  possible  to  go.  A  man  who  regularly  attends  his 
class-meeting  can  not  very  well  backslide.  Associate  with  your  experience 
and  profession  increasing  religious  activity.  This  sustains  the  same  relation 
to  our  spiritual  life  that  stated  physical  exercise  does  to  our  natural  life. 
Enter  every  avenue  of  usefulness.  Do  all  the  good  in  your  power.  Resolve 
that  the  world  shall  be  better  for  your  having  lived  in  it.  My  precious 
brother,  my  heart  goes  out  after  you  in  sincerest  and  strongest  affection.  You 
were  always  dear  to  me  because  of  the  noble  elements  which  constitute  your 
nature,  but  you  are  doubly  dear  since  your  regeneration.  I  feel  now  that 
"'Our  hopes  and  aims  are  one, 
Our  comforts  and  our  cares  !' 

"  We  may  warrantably  indulge  the  delightful  hope  that  our  fraternal  love, 
overleaping  the  river  of  death,  will  be  perpetuated  coeval  with  the  existence 
of  the  soul. 

"  I  still  feel  the  deepest  and  liveliest  interest  in  your  secular  affairs.  With 
the  blessing  of  God,  which  you  can  now  confidently  implore  and  expect,  all 
will  be  well.  Can  we  not  persuade  George  to  give  God  his  heart  ?  If  he 
would  yield,  then  we  would  be  an  undivided  family  in  the  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Let  us  agree  to  pray  for  him." 

A  few  brief  extracts  from  Mr.  Cookman's  pocket-diary  of  1856 
afford  further  illustration  of  his  piety  and  zeal  at  this  period  : 

"  January  \. — Attended  a  Sunday-school  convention  in  the  evening,  and 
made  a  speech.  Have  realized  during  the  day  much  peace  arising  from  a 
sense  of  entire  consecration  to  God. 

"  January  2. — Preached  in  the  evening  from  'Choose  ye,'  etc.  Two  came 
forward  for  prayers.  Some  prospect  of  a  revival.  My  mind  is  kept  in  peace 
while  stayed  upon  God. 

"  January  3. — Spent  the  morning  in  my  study ;  visited  Mr.  F ;  ex- 
horted in  the  evening ;  two  penitents ;  one  conversion.  *  *  *  Still  realize 
the  comfort  growing  out  of  an  entire  consecration  of  self  to  God. 

"  January  4. — Good  meeting  at  night ;  four  at  the  altar.  Still  trusting  in 
Christ 


HABITUAL   DEVOTION   TO   GOD.  183 

"  Jamtary  6. — Preached  in  the  morning ;  catechized  Sunday-school  chil- 
dren in  the  afternoon ;  heard  Rev.  B at  night.  A  very  precious  Sabbath. 

In  the  evening  enjoyed  an  unusual  baptism  of  the  Spirit. 

"  January  7. — At  preachers'  meeting  realized  an  unspeakable  trust  and 
joy  in  God.  *  *  *  The  general  class  in  the  evening  was  a  discouraging  fail- 
ure. My  confidence  in  Christ  is  unabated. 

"  January  8. — A  glorious  meeting  at  night ;  the  Church  in  earnest  and 
eight  at  the  altar.  To  God  be  all  the  glory. 

"  Jamtary  9. — My  peace  still  flows  as  a  river ;  *  *  *  meeting  grows  in 
interest ;  twelve  at  the  altar ;  two  conversions.  Oh,  for  an  unprecedented 
outpouring  of  the  Spirit ! 

"January  10. — Glory  to  God  for  the  privilege  of  living  in  a  state  of  entire 
consecration ;  *  *  *  excellent  meeting ;  thirteen  or  fourteen  at  the  altar. 

"  January  1 1. — My  heart  is  fixed  trusting  in  the  Lord ;  glorious  meeting 
at  night ;  seventeen  at  the  altar ;  the  members  are  rallying  to  the  work. 

"January  12. — Realize  great  peace  with  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ ;  twenty  at  the  penitents'  meeting  to-day. 

"  Jamiary  15. — Met  Tract  Committee — occupied  most  of  my  morning; 
visited ;  excellent  meeting  in  the  evening ;  Bishop  Simpson  with  us  ;  four- 
teen at  the  altar  ;  two  converted.  '  Bless  the  Lord,  oh  my  soul,  and  all  that 
is  within  me  bless  His  holy  name  !'  " 

At  the  close  of  Mr.  Cookman's  second  year  in  Pittsburgh, 
spring  of  1857,  his  return  to  the  Philadelphia  Conference  was 
requested  and  granted.  Before  dismissing. this  important  term 
of  his  ministry,  I  insert  an  estimate  of  his  services  at  Christ 
Church  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  Wright,  a  member  of  its  official 
board : 

"  For  a  young  man  of  comparatively  little  experience  as  a 
preacher  in  charge,  to  be  called  to  the  pastorate  of  an  under- 
taking from  which  so  much  was  expected  on  the  one  hand,  and 
so  much  disaster  to  the  cause  of  Methodism  prophesied  on  the 
other,  gave  rise  to  much  discussion  as  to  the  propriety  of  the 
appointment,  many  urging  that  a  preacher  of  more  experience 
would  be  better. 

"  Under  these  somewhat  embarrassing  circumstances,  which 
were  known  to  our  young  brother,  he  came  doubting,  \w&finnly 
trusting.  When  I  first  met  him  one  cold,  dreary,  Pittsburgh 


184  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

March  morning,  he  looked  any  thing  but  joyful.  I  introduced 
him  to  my  family  as  our  expected  young  preacher  of  whom  they 
had  heard  me  speak  so  often,  and  was  disposed  to  be  cheerful 
over  his  coming;  but  the  young  preacher  was  not  so  disposed, 
and  looked  sad,  and  with  a  grave  expression  said :  '  I  am  here 
to  obey  orders,  but  my  opinion  is  that  the  officiary  of  your 
Church  have  made  a  mistake  in  asking  my  transfer  to  this  im- 
portant charge.  I  hope  it  has  been  ordered  through  your  pray- 
ers, for  I  feel  greatly  the  need  of  aid  from  on  high  to  enter  upon 
the  discharge  of  the  duties.'  He  then  spoke  of  the  magnitude 
of  the  enterprise,  and  his  belief  that  the  success  of  such  efforts  for 
the  future  would  be  determined  in  a  great  measure  by  the  first 
years  of  their  history.  Thus  believing,  he  said  he  felt  the 
weight  of  the  responsibility  all  the  more,  that  its  organization 
should  be  a  success  in  every  way,  especially  in  the  salvation  of 
sinners  and  the  upbuilding  of  the  Church  for  good. 

"  He  entered  upon  his  duties  as  the  first  pastor  of  Christ 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  the  following  Sabbath,  and  preach- 
ed to  a  crowded  house  from  the  6th  chapter  and  i4th  verse 
of  Galatians,  '  God  forbid,'  etc.  The  cro§s  of  Christ  and  the 
atoning  blood  of  the  Lamb,  ever  beautiful  and  powerful  to  save, 
was  the  burden  of  his  theme  on  that  day.  The  timid  young 
man  of  the  day  before  was  now  as  bold  in  the  annunciation  of 
the  truths  that  centre  around  the  cross  as  Paul,  whom  he  so 
much  loved,  and  upon  whose  character  he  loved  to  dwell.  If 
there  had  been  any  doubts  about  the  propriety  of  calling  the 
young  brother  to  the  new  charge,  they  were  all  dispelled  by  the 
impression  produced  upon  the  minds  and  hearts  of  his  first  con- 
gregation. A  good,  happy  brother  was  asked,  on  coming  out 
of  church,  what  he  thought  of  the  sermon :  '  Ah !'  he  replied, 
'  there  is  no  German  silver  about  that — it  has  the  true  ring  of 
the  genuine  metal.' 

"  In  the  organization  of  Christ  Church  membership  from  the 
various  Methodist  congregations  in  Pittsburgh,  Brother  Alfred 


THE    ELEMENTS   OF    HIS   SUCCESS.  185 

Cookman  performed  a  delicate  task,  in  which  he  acted  with  the 
good  sense  and  judgment  of  more  mature  years  and  experience. 
Under  the  inspiration  of  his  consecration  to  the  work  of  the 
salvation  of  sinners,  Alfred  Cookman  developed  while  at  Christ 
Church  some  of  the  noblest  traits  of  his  manhood,  and  show- 
ed what  was  possible  when  the  man  is  devoted  to  his  Mas- 
ter's work.  The  fervor  of  his  longings  for  the  conversion  of 
sinners  was  always  marked  by  a  deep  and  loving  pathos,  ex- 
pressed with  singular  beauty  and  propriety  of  language,  that 
rarely  failed  in  making  a  deep  and  lasting  impression.  The 
congregations  that  waited  upon  his  ministry  while  in  Pittsburgh 
were  large — often  so  crowded  that  persons  had  to  leave  for 
want  of  room. 

"  One  of  the  elements  of  his  great  success  in  Pittsburgh  was 
his  love  and  devotion  to  the  Sabbath -school  interests  of  the 
Church.  He  organized  a  large  school,  and  never  did  he  seem 
more  in  his  element  than  when  working  among  the  children ; 
and  never  was  there  a  body  of  children  who  seemed  to  be  hap- 
pier and  gave  more  attention  than  when  he  was  talking  to 
them — either  in  examining  them  in  their  catechism,  illustrating 
their  scriptural  lesson,  or  in  telling  some  story  that  pointed  a 
moral  which  was  always  fixed  in  their  minds  by  some  appro- 
priate illustration. 

"  Many  of  the  children  of  the  school  came  early  under  the  in- 
fluence of  religion,  gave  their  names  to  the  Church,  and  Brother 
Alfred  lived  long  enough  to  see  several  of  the  boys  thus  brought 
to  Christ  preachers,  two  of  whom  are  now  in  the  Baltimore 
Conference. 

"  In  his  devotion  to  the  Sabbath-school  interests  of  Christ 
Church  he  was  ably  assisted  by  his  excellent  wife,  who  had 
charge  of  the  infant  class-room.  In  all  of  his  responsible  du- 
ties and  relations  to  Christ  Church  he  was  ever  faithful  to  the 
great  trust  imposed  upon  him,  and  his  Master  abundantly  bless- 
ed and  honored  him  with  great  success  in  bringing  a  large  and 


1 86  LIFE   OF   ALFRED    COOKMAN. 

influential  membership  together,  and  establishing  an  objective 
point  for  Methodism  in  Pittsburgh. 

"  He  impressed  the  large  and  wealthy  congregation  with 
the  importance  and  duty  of  contributing  generously  of  their 
means.  The  after-history  of  this  Church  shows  that  they  have 
not  forgotten  his  injunction,  but  have  gone  on  increasing  their 
gifts,  till  now  Christ  Church  stands  among  the  first  in  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  as  a  contributor  to  all  the  interests  of 
the  Church." 

Two  letters  written  subsequently  from  Pittsburgh  to  his  wife 
present  a  very  grateful  proof  of  Mr.  Cookman's  attachment  to 
the  Christ  Church  friends  as  well  as  of  their  affection  for  him. 
They  were  written  when  he  was  on  a  visit  to  Pittsburgh  : 

"  PITTSBURGH,  Monday  morning. 

"  I  have  time  for  a  few  lines.  Despite  the  storm  and  gloomy  prospect,  I 
started  from  Harrisburg  on  Saturday  afternoon,  and  without  detention 
reached  Pittsburgh  about  two  A.  M.  on  Sabbath  morning.  The  Union  Hotel 
is  a  part  of  the  Pennsylvania  depot,  and  there  I  made  myself  comfortable 

until  church-time.     Brother  K called  for  me  in  his  carriage  about  ten 

o'clock,  and  we  proceeded  together  to  Christ  Church.  The  snow-storm  still 
continuing,  influenced  the  congregation,  but  notwithstanding  we  had  the 
house  well  filled.  I  had  a  blessed  time  in  preaching.  The  friends  flocked 
enthusiastically  around.  We  have  no  warmer  friends  than  these  large- 
hearted  Pittsburghers.  The  M.'s  would  take  me  in  their  splendid  carriage 
to  their  elegant  home  for  dinner.  In  the  afternoon  I  addressed  the  Sun- 
day-school ;  then  supped  at  James  B.'s,  who  has  a  beautiful  home  on  Penn 
Street,  and  in  the  evening  preached  again  to  a  congregation  larger  than  that 
gathered  in  the  morning.  This  evening  I  preach  again,  and  leave  in  the  ten 
P.  M.  train  for  Harrisburg.  Pittsburgh  is  sharing  at  this  time  wonderful  re- 
vival influences.  The  daily  prayer-meetings  are  held  in  the  largest  churches, 
and  are  crowded  with  interested  persons.  I  observed  Mrs.  Simpson  and 
Miss  Ella  in  my  congregation  yesterday.  This  morning  I  propose  to  step 
in  and  pay  them  my  respects.  Mrs.  II was  in  her  pew  clad  in  the  deep- 
est mourning.  I  of  course  will  call  on  her  during  the  day.  The  P fam- 
ily were  all  in  their  places,  and  exceedingly  kind.  The  K.'s  have  moved 

farther  out.     They  have  a  nicer  home  than  before.     Whether  that will 

come  is  doubtful,  but  this  morning  God  gave  me  sweetly  this  Scripture 


THE   PITTSBURGH   FRIENDS.  187 

— '  Why  take  you  thought  for  raiment,'  etc.  '  For  your  Heavenly  Father 
knoweth  that  ye  have  need  of  these  things.'  This  was  so  delightful  that  I 
can  leave  the  whole  matter.  *  *  *  My  soul  is  full  of  love  for  and  trust 
in  Jesus.  In  a  spiritual  sense  all  is  well.  My  soul  is  clothed  in  a  spotless 
robe  that  never  wears  out.  Glory  to  the  Lamb  !  The  people  here  are  very 
anxious  to  see  you.  They  speak  of  you  with  true,  warm,  deep  love." 

"  PITTSBURGH,  Friday  morning,  12  o'clock,  1868. 

•"  Here  I  am  in  smoky  Pittsburgh,  smoky  enough — never  smokier.  We 
left  Philadelphia  last  evening  at  eight  o'clock.  My  berth  was  wide  and  clean 
and  comfortable.  I  lay  down  about  ten  P.M.,  rested  delightfully,  and  rose 
this  morning  about  seven,  as  we  were  descending  the  mountain.  At  half- 
past  nine  we  alighted  at  the  Pittsburgh  depot,  and  proceeded  to  B.'s  office ; 
found  him  in  his  arm-chair,  and  received  a  brother's  welcome.  He  secured 
for  me  a  pass  to  and  from  Chicago,  so  that  my  railroad  expenses  will  not 
bankrupt  me.  I  have  called  this  morning  on  a  number  of  brethren,  who  ex- 
press undiminished  love  for  their  former  pastor.  A  little  while  ago  I  wan- 
dered through  the  church,  the  place  of  my  former  ministrations ;  saw  the 
house  where  Frank  was  born — the  stone  steps  where  dear  Brunie  would 
await  me  when  I  was  returning  from  the  East.  The  rush  of  memories  nearly 
overpowered  me.  More  of  Pittsburgh  when  we  meet.  The  wedding  yes- 
terday was  a  grand  affair.  No  expense  was  spared.  The  company  was 

not  very  large ;   the  entertainment  superb.     M looked  and  behaved 

beautifully.  Her  husband  impressed  me  most  favorably.  They  went  off  in 
the  half-past  six  train  to  take  possession  of  their  new  and  elegant  home  in 
Brooklyn.  A  beautiful  wreath  was  presented  for  Mrs.  Cookman,  and  a  bas- 
ket of  flowers  for  her  husband.  Last,  but  not  least,  the  fee  was  .  I 

have  carefully  placed  it  in  my  watch-pocket,  and,  if  the  temptation  is  not  too 
strong  to  spend  it,  I  will  let  you  pick  my  pocket  on  my  return.  I  am  very 
well  this  morning,  and  expect  to  start  for  Chicago  in  the  two  o'clock  train, 
reaching  my  destination  about  eleven  o'clock  to-morrow  morning.  It  is  a 
long  journey,  and  I  expect  to  get  enough  of  it  to  last  me  a  lifetime.  Mr. 
Punshon  is  in  Chicago  ;  preaches  there  to-day.  I  hope,  however,  to  hear  him 
on  the  Sabbath.  Oh,  if  my  darling  wife  was  only  with  me,  then  I  should  be 
entirely  satisfied.  Your  joy  is  my  joy,  and  I  know  you  would  be  delighted 
to  travel  with  your  itinerant  husband.  I  am  with  you  in  spirit  almost  con- 
stantly, and  fervently  ask  our  kind  Heavenly  Father  to  watch  over  you  dur- 
ing our  absence  one  from  another.  Love  to  all  the  friends.  Kiss  my  dear 
children  for  their  papa.  Tell  them  to  be  kind  and  quiet  and  good." 

The  Rev.  W.  M.  Paxton,  D.D.,  now  of  New  York,  who  was  the 


l88  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Pittsburgh  when  Mr. 
Cookman  was  at  Christ  Church,  has  furnished  a  very  pleasing 
testimony  to  the  excellence  of  his  character  and  the  usefulness 
of  his  ministry.  After  referring  to  some  of  the  difficulties  which 
Mr.  Cookman  had  to  meet,  he  says  : 

"  He,  however,  proved  himself  fully  equal  to  the  emergency. 
I  now  look  back  with  admiration  upon  the  masterly  manner  in 
which  he  met  all  these  difficulties,  and  turned  hostility  into 
friendship.  His  humble,  unpretending  manner  disarmed  prej- 
udice; his  sincere,  honest  heart  inspired  confidence;  his  lov- 
ing, gentle  spirit  won  the  affection  of  the  people ;  and  his  able 
and  eloquent  preaching  gave  him  a  high  place  in  the  estima- 
tion of  the  public.  His  success  became  apparent  upon  the  first 
day  the  church  was  opened,  and  before  the  close  of  the  first 
year  he  had  dissipated  all  opposition,  gathered  around  him  a 
large  and  influential  congregation,  and  established  himself  in 
the  regard  of  the  whole  community.  At  the  end  of  one  year, 
when  his  first  term  of  service  expired,  such  was  the  desire,  not 
only  of  his  own  congregation  but  of  the  whole  community,  to 
retain  his  services,  that  the  bishops  were  -constrained  to  renew 
his  appointment. 

"  His  whole  work  in  Pittsburgh  was  admirable  in  every  way. 
He  organized  his  congregation  well,  preached  well,  and  was  in- 
strumental in  the  conversion  of  many  souls.  But,  beyond  all 
this,  he  had  a  large  catholic  spirit,  which  brought  him  into  use- 
ful fellowship  with  his  brethren  of  other  denominations,  and  en- 
listed him  in  every  good  work.  He  was  in  every  sense  a  Meth- 
odist, but  he  was  not  a  narrow  denominationalist ;  and,  above 
all,  he  had  nothing  in  his  heart  to  keep  him  from  rejoicing  in 
the  success  of  another's  work. 

"  His  residence  in  Pittsburgh  being  within  two  doors  of  my 
own,  an  intimacy  sprang  up  between  us,  which  soon  ripened  into 
a  warm  and  lasting  friendship.  The  more  I  knew  of  him  the 
more  I  loved  him.  He  had  an  honest  heart  that  inspired  trust, 


THE    REV.  DR.  PAXTON'S   TESTIMONY.  189 

and  made  me  feel  that  all  his  expressions,  either  of  opinion  or 
friendship,  could  be  relied  upon.  His  religion  was  deep,  ear- 
nest, and  controlling.  He  believed  in  heart  religion  because  he 
had  an  experience  of  it,  and  out  of  the  abundance  of  his  heart 
his  mouth  spoke.  With  him  religion  was  a  pervading  princi- 
ple, controlling  all  thought  and  action.  '  He  walked  with  God.' 
He  realized  more  than  most  Christians  the  personal  presence 
of  the  Saviour,  and  had  many  blessed  seasons  of  high  and  holy 
communion  as  on  the  Mount.  It  was  upon  this  rich  treasury 
of  heart  experience  that  he  drew  largely  for  his  sermons.  His 
spontaneous  conversation  was  upon  religion ;  it  was  in  his 
heart,  and  he  delighted  to  talk  of  it.  I  have  many  precious 
recollections  of  such  conversations.  He  was  in  all  his  views 
and  convictions  a  Methodist,  and  yet  in  his  experience  he  was 
so  much  of  a  Calvinist  that  we  had  many  '  good  times  to- 
gether.' " 

The  subjoined  characterization  of  Mr.  Cookman  and  his  work 
appeared  at  the  time  of  his  leaving  Pittsburgh  in  one  of  the 
daily  papers  of  the  city  : 

"  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman  has  been  with  us  but  two  years,  yet  in  that  short 
time  he  has  indelibly  impressed  us  with  his  sincerity  as  a  Christian,  his 
worth  as  a  gentleman,  and  his  ability  as  a  pulpit  orator.  To  his  value  as  a 
Christian,  his  life  and  zeal  in  the  cause  he  assumes  testifies.  Of  his  worth 
as  a  gentleman,  the  many  and  warm  attachments  formed  during  his  short 
residence  with  us  are  the  assurances.  Of  his  ability  as  an  orator,  the  large 
and  discriminating  audiences  which  have  attended  him  are  the  very  best 
evidences. 

"Viewing  the  tenets  of  his  Church  in  a  spirit  of  liberality,  austerity  has 
not  characterized  his  teaching ;  inspired  with  the  social  value  of  courtesy, 
his  etiquette  has  not  been  based  upon  an  exclusive  code.  Carefully  regard- 
ing the  end  in  view,  he  has  not  perverted  the  gifts  of  oratory  to  the  gratifica- 
tion of  vanity.  But  subordinating  every  thing  to  the  objects  of  his  ministry, 
he  has  worthily  maintained  the  dignity  of  the  Christian  teacher.  Ignoring 
fanaticism  in  religion,  he  has  not  failed  to  discharge  his  duties  as  a  citizen. 
Marking  the  nice  distinction  between  Christian  morality  and  political  ethics, 
he  has  saved  his  congregation  the  scandal  too  many  have  suffered  where  the 


IQO  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

sanctuary  has  been  desecrated  by  the  introduction  of  party  issues.  Yet, 
with  an  ardent  patriotism  that  finds  a  fitting  response  within  the  hearts  of 
all  who  love  their  country,  and  which  rises  too  far  above  mere  party  to  be 
subjected  to  its  criticism,  he  has  pointed  out  the  breakers  which  threaten 
our  noble  Ship  of  State,  and  conjured  us  by  his  eloquence  to  cling  to  the 
Bible  as  the  only  compass  by  which  she  may  be  safely  directed. 

"  For  all  this  we  regret  his  loss.  Succumbing  to  its  necessity,  we  can  only, 
with  the  poet,  bid  him 

" '  Go,  speed  the  stars  of  thought 

On  to  their  shining  goals ; 
The  sower  scatters  broad  his  seed, 
The  wheat  thou  strewest  be  souls.'  " 

He  and  his  family  took  their  final  leave  of  Pittsburgh  at 
the  midnight  hour.  So  intense  was  the  feeling  at  parting  with 
them,  that  large  numbers  of  their  friends  formed  a  procession 
and  accompanied  them  to  the  depot,  where  they  took  the  train 
for  Philadelphia. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

MINISTRY   AT  GREEN   STREET  CHURCH,  PHILADELPHIA. — 
REMARKABLE   REVIVAL. 

MR.  COOKMAN'S  return  to  Philadelphia  was  heartily  received 
by  his  brethren  of  the  Conference  and  the  laymen  of  the  city. 
The  Green  Street  charge  was  especially  favored  in  securing  his 
services  as  their  pastor.  His  fame  as  a  preacher  and  his  effi- 
ciency as  a  worker  had  greatly  augmented  since  he  had  left 
Kensington  Station,  and  his  advent  to  the  city  was  adapted  to 
awaken  much  delight  and  expectation.  The  Green  Street 
Church  was  a  new,  tasteful,  and  commodious  building,  with  free 
seats,  situated  among  a  dense  population,  and  offered  every 
advantage  for  the  popular  talents  of  the  zealous  pastor.  He 
was  now  perfectly  in  his  element.  With  loving  kindred  and 
genial  friends  about  him,  a  comfortable,  though  not  pretentious 
home,  a  large  and  enthusiastic  society  of  helpers,  a  crowded 
and  sympathizing  congregation,  he  entered  upon  a  career  of 
popularity  and  usefulness  which  may  be  regarded  as  an  epoch 
in  his  ministry. 

It  is  doubtful  if  Philadelphia  Methodism  has  known  in  its 
whole  history  a  pastoral  term  of  two  years  more  signally  fraught 
with  proofs  of  the  divine  favor  and  the  stable  results  of  evangel- 
ical ministrations  than  these  of  our  friend  at  Green  Street. 
The  scenes  under  his  preaching — the  perpetual  blaze  of  re- 
vival, the  marked  cases  of  conversion  and  sanctification — were 
more  like  the  occurrences  of  primitive  Methodism,  and  showed 
conclusively  that  the  ancient  glory  had  not  departed  from  the 
sons  of  the  fathers.  At  the  close  of  his  second  year  he  reported 
seven  hundred  members  and  one  hundred  and  fourteen  proba- 


IQ2  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

tioners — a  net  gain  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-five  persons — 
with  large  advances  in  all  the  collections  for  benevolent  objects, 
especially  in  that  for  the  missionary  cause. 

As  an  explanation  in  part  of  the  eminent  success  of  Mr. 
Cookman  at  Green  Street,  it  may  be  said  that  it  took  place 
during  the  great  religious  revival  of  1857  and  1858.  An  awak- 
ening seldom  paralleled  pervaded  all  classes  of  society  and 
churches  of  every  communion,  extending  from  the  cities  to  the 
country  districts,  until  there  was  not  a  hamlet,  however  remote, 
which  did  not  feel  its  power.  Waves  of  divine  blessing,  in  rapid 
succession,  rolled  over  the  land ;  religion  was  at  the  flood — it 
was  the  theme  on  every  lip ;  men  turned  aside  from  the  busy 
mart  at  the  hour  of  noon,  and  thronged  the  places  of  prayer ; 
the  workshop,  the  drinking-saloon,  the  theatre,  the  highway, 
became  consecrated  places,  where  the  voice  of  singing  and  of 
supplication  from  earnest  penitents  and  exultant  converts  was 
heard;  the  sanctuaries  were  crowded  with  men  and  women, 
asking  what  they  must  do  to  be  saved ;  not  alone  the  women 
and  children,  but  men — strong,  wicked  men,  who  hitherto  had 
neither  regarded  man  nor  feared  God — mourned  for  their  sins, 
and  rejoiced  in  the  freedom  of  forgiveness ;  ministers  whose 
popularity  had  declined  were  invested  with  new  favor,  and  the 
different  denominations,  that  had  been  until  recently  either  an- 
tagonistic or  indifferent,  were  suddenly  fused  into  a  thorough 
union  and  co-operation. 

Mr.  Cookman  knew  enough  to  put  himself  abreast  this  divine 
flood,  and  to  move  with  it.  Neither  the  general  spirit  of  revival 
nor  his  tact  can  wholly  explain  his  success. 

It  is  proper  to  call  attention  to  an  important  fact  of  per- 
sonal experience,  which  rendered  his  ministry  at  Green  Street, 
in  his  own  opinion,  the  most  pregnant  period  of  his  history. 
It  will  be  remembered  that  within  a  few  months  after  ob- 
taining the  evidence  of  "perfect  love,"  through  inadvertency 
he  lost  it.  Through  these  years  his  position  on  this  great 


SPIRITUAL  CONFLICTS.  193 

subject  had  not  been  at  all  satisfactory  to  himself.  It  had  been 
hesitating.  Doubts,  questionings  had  disturbed  his  mind;  and 
though  he  was  mainly  in  sympathy  with  the  doctrine  of  "  full 
salvation,"  still  there  was  neither  a  definite  view  nor  a  settled 
experience.  His  ministry  was  acceptable  and  useful ;  he  was 
truly  devoted  to  God  and  His  cause,  but  yet  he  was  ill  at  ease, 
and  his  soul,  under  a  deep  sense  of  unrealized  power,  was  often 
sorrowful.  The  war  .of  contending  feelings  marred  his  peace 
and  frittered  his  strength ;  something  he  needed  to  lift  him  out 
of  this  conflict,  and  to  develop  all  the  resources  of  his  spiritual 
nature  into  the  utmost  unity  and  force.  The  Spirit  of  God  was 
gently  but  surely  leading  him  backward  and  forward  at  the  same 
time — backward  to  the  simple,  child-like  faith  in  which  he  stood 
at  Newtown,  and  forward  to  the  same  faith,  re-enforced  by  an 
experience  which  could  more  fully  guard  it,  through  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  errors  that  caused  its  forfeiture,  and  the  memory  of 
the  bitterness  which  that  forfeiture  had  entailed. 

Whatever  had  been  lost  during  these  ten  years  of  compara- 
tive failure,  all  was  not  lost.  I  do  not  mean  that  simply  a  saved, 
justified  condition  had  been  maintained;  this  no  one  can  ques- 
tion ;  but  I  mean  that  there  had  been  progress  in  the  deeper 
knowledge  of  God's  Word,  in  the  more  thorough  insight  to  his 
own  heart,  in  the  increased  confidence  in  the  agencies  of  the 
Gospel,  acquired  by  a  longer  and  broader  observation — all  of 
which  constituted  preparations  for  that  subsequent  experience 
which  in  its  marks  and  results  became  so  signal  and  abiding. 
To  one  who  has  gained  some  great  height  by  untrodden  and 
devious  paths,  there  may  seem  a  much  straighter  course  when 
he  looks  back  over  the  broad  sweep  through  which  he  has  pass- 
ed ;  but  he  can  not  say  that  any  step,  much  less  which  step, 
has  been  useless  in  the  successive  steps  that  have  brought  him 
to  the  eminence  on  which  he  stands. 

There  is  a  certain  positiveness  in  a  knowledge  which  is  worked 
out  for  one's  self,  to  which  the  soul  comes  through  its  own  prov- 

I 


194  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

ings  amid  doubts,  fears,  temptations,  that  imparts  a  conviction 
of  truthfulness,  a  tenacity  of  purpose,  which  is  an  indispensable 
element  in  him  who  in  any  sense  is  to  be  a  leader  in  God's 
advanced  hosts.  The  stand  which  Alfred  Cookman  was  about 
to  take  at  Green  Street  for  the  doctrine  of  "  perfect  love  "  would 
be  quite  a  different  stand  from  that  which  he  took  on  Attleboro 
Circuit  in  the  first  inexperienced  months  of  his  ministry ;  not 
different  in  the  nature  of  the  work  accomplished,  nor  in  the 
evidences  accompanying  it,  but  in  the  increased  capacity  which 
he  would  have  to  understand,  to  hold,  and  to  propagate  it. 
Thenceforth  neither  the  jokes  of  his  brethren  nor  the  arguments 
of  those  who,  either  for  cavil  or  conscience,  saw  fit  to  differ  with 
him,  would  be  able  to  move  him. 

It  was  not  a  necessity  that  he  should  have  lost  the  witness  of 
entire  sanctification,  much  less  that  he  should  have  continued 
so  long  a  time  without  its  restoration,  but  it  is  a  significant  fact 
in  the  history  of  many  of  those  who  have  received  this  witness 
that  they  seldom  remain  from  the  beginning  uninterruptedly  in 
its  possession  and  enjoyment.  From  want  of  a  full  perception 
of  the  conditions  of  the  higher  order  o(  life,  from  a  defect  of 
judgment  which  can  be  corrected  only  by  experience,  the  soul 
which  has  rejoiced  in  the  evidence  of  love  made  perfect  not 
unfrequently  comes  under  a  darkness  which  is  more  or  less 
protracted.  One  of  the  most  merciful  provisions  of  Christian- 
ity is  that  all  believers,  of  whatever  stage  of  attainment  or  de- 
gree of  faith,  may  so  long  as  they  live  learn  by  the  things 
which  they  suffer,  and  be  corrected  by  their  very  mistakes.  It 
is  of  God's  infinite  wisdom  and  goodness  so  to  sanctify  to  the 
good  man  even  his  errors,  that  by  them  he  shall  rise  into  a  cor- 
rected and  purer  life : 

In  the  summer  of  1856,  while  at  Pittsburgh,  Mr.  Cookman 
entered  into  a  covenant  with  God,  which  began  to  give  shape 
to  his  subsequent  experience  : 

"  Restlessly  anxious  to  enjoy  an  abiding  witness  of  entire 


COVENANT   OF   ENTIRE  CONSECRATION.  195 

sanctification  to  God,  fully  satisfied  that  this  is  not  only  a  high 
and  holy  privilege,  but  a  solemn  and  peremptory  obligation,  7, 
Alfred  Cookman,  on  this  i6th  day  of  July,  1856,  do  record  the 
following  covenant,  with  a  humble  reliance  on  supernatural 
help  to  assist  me  in  fulfilling  it : 

"  i.  I  will  considerately,  solemnly,  cheerfully,  fully  devote  my- 
self to  God,  consecrating  the  various  faculties  of  my  mind  and 
body,  together  with  the  different  talents  which  the  providence 
of  God  has  blessed  me  with. 

"  2.  I  will  endeavor  to  remember  that  a  strict  and  constant 
self-denial  is  a  principal  element  of  the  Christian  character ; 
hence,  without  reference  to  my  own  will  or  inclination,  I  will 
consent  to  be  governed  by  God's  revealed  truth  and  the  inward 
illumination  of  His  Holy  Spirit. 

"  To  particularize  some  points  of  duty : 

"  Finding  that  I  can  not  habitually  use  tobacco  with  a  clear 
conscience,  I  will  resolve  to  abstain  frcm  it  altogether. 

"  I  will  endeavor  to  be  more  prompt  and  energetic  in  the  dis- 
charge of  all  my  duties. 

"  Teaching,  as  I  do,  the  advantage  and  efficiency  of  prayer, 
I  will  myself  seek  to  commune  more  frequently  and  intimately 
with  God. 

"  In  my  intercourse  with  society,  I  will  endeavor  to  be  more 
spiritual  in  my  conversation,  keeping  in  view  constantly  the 
glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  souls. 

"  I  will  study  the  spirit  and  character  of  my  Saviour,  and 
labor  to  possess  all  the  mind  which  was  in  Christ  Jesus  my 
Lord. 

"  I  will  frequently  give  this  covenant  a  prayerful  perusal. 

"  Now,  how  can  I  conform  to  this  standard  unless  assisted  by 
the  blessed  Spirit?  Feebler  than  a  bruised  reed,  I  shall  cer- 
tainly fail  unless  helped  from  above.  Oh,  Eternal  Father,  for 
the  alone  sake  of  the  Saviour,  give  me  the  Holy  Spirit  to 
strengthen  me  with  might  in  my  inner  man,  that  I  may  be  able 


196  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

to  glorify  Thee  in  my  body  and  spirit,  which  I  this  day  conse- 
crate to  Thee." 

As  joints  to  stalks,  condensing  their  substance  and  giving 
firmness  for  the  support  of  further  growth ;  as  knots  in  the 
threads,  binding  them  into  unity  and  strength  as  hither  and 
thither  they  cross  each  other  in  weaving  the  fisher's  net,  so  the 
covenants  of  good  men  gather  up  their  otherwise  scattered  re- 
sources, and  compact  them  into  the  higher  forms  of  spiritual 
efficiency. 

I  give  in  his  own  words  the  account  of  his  restoration  to 
this  great  scriptural  blessing  :* 

"  Oh,  how  many  precious  years  I  wasted  in  quibbling  and 
debating  respecting  the  great  differences,  not  seeing  that  I  was 
antagonizing  a  doctrine  which  must  be  spiritually  discerned, 
and  the  tendency  of  which  is  to  bring  people  nearer  God. 
Meanwhile  I  had  foolishly  fallen  into  the  habit  of  using  tobac- 
co, an  indulgence  which,  while  it  afforded,  palatably,  gratifica- 
tion, at  the  same  time  seemed  to  satisfy  both  my  nervous  and 
social  nature.  Years  elapsed.  When  I  would  confront  the 
obligation  of  entire  consecration,  the  sacrifice  of  my  foolish 
habit  would  be  presented  as  a  test  of  obedience ;  I  would  con- 
sent. Light,  strength,  and  blessing  were  the  result.  Afterward 
temptation  would  be  presented.  I  would  listen  to  suggestions 
like  this :  '  This  is  one  of  the  good  things  of  God  ;  your  religion 
does  not  require  a  course  of  asceticism  ;  this  indulgence  is  not 
specifically  forbidden  in  the  New  Testament ;  some  good  peo- 
ple whom  you  know  are  addicted  to  this  practice,'  thus  seeking 
to  quiet  an  uneasy  conscience.  I  would  draw  back  into  the 
old  habit  again.  After  a  while  I  began  to  see  that  the  indul- 
gence at  best  was  doubtful  for  me,  and  that  I  was  giving  my 
carnality  rather  than  my  Christian  experience  the  benefit  of  the 
doubt.  It  could  not  harm  me  to  give  it  up,  while  to  persist  in 
the  practice  was  costing  me  too  much  in  my  religious  enjoyment. 

*  Substantially  as  published  in  "The  Guide  to  Holiness,"  New  York. 


THE  THREE   STEPS   TO   HOLINESS.  197 

"I  found  that  after  all  my  objections  to  sanctification  as  a 
distinct  work  of  grace,  there  was  nevertheless  a  conscious  lack 
in  my  own  religious  experience — it  was  not  strong,  round,  full, 
abiding.  I  frequently  asked  myself, 'What  is  that  I  need  and 
desire  in  comparison  with  what  I  have  and  profess  ?'  I  looked 
at  the  three  steps  insisted  upon  by  the  friends  of  holiness,  name- 
ly :  '  First,  entire  consecration;  second,  acceptance  of  Jesus  mo- 
ment by  moment  as  a  perfect  Saviour ;  third,  a  meek  and  defi- 
nite profession  of  the  grace  received,'  and  I  said  '  these  are 
scriptural  and  reasonable  duties.' 

"  The  remembrance  of  my  experience  in  Newtown  supplied 
an  overwhelming  confirmation  of  all  this,  and  at  the  same  time 
a  powerful  stimulant  in  the  direction  of  duty.  What  then  ?  '  I 
will  cast  aside  all  preconceived  theories,  doubtful  indulgences, 
and  culpable  unbelief,  and  retrace  my  steps.'  Alas !  that  I 
should  have  wandered  from  the  light  at  all,  and  afterward  wasted 
so  many  years  in  vacillating  between  self  and  God.  Can  I  ever 
forgive  myself?  Oh,  what  bitter,  bitter  memories  !  The  ac- 
knowledgment I  make  is  constrained  by  candor  and  a  concern 
for  others.  It  is  the  greatest  humiliation  of  my  life.  If  I  had 
the  ear  of  those  who  have  entered  into  the  clearer  light  of  Chris- 
tian purity,  I  would  beseech  and  charge  them  with  a  brother's 
interest  and  earnestness  that  they  be  warned  by  my  folly.  Oh, 
let  such  consent  to  die,  if  it  were  possible,  ten  deaths  before  they 
willfully  depart  from  the  path  of  holiness  ;  for,  if  they  retrace 
their  steps,  there  will  still  be  the  remembrance  of  original  purity 
tarnished,  and  that  will  prove  a  drop  of  bitterness  in  the  cup  of 
their  sweetest  comfort. 

"  Eternal  praise  to  my  long-suffering  Lord,  nearly  ten  years 
have  elapsed  since,  as  the  pastor  of  Green  Street  Church  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  I  again  carefully  and  fully  dedicated  my  all 
to  God,  the  consecration  of  course  including  the  doubtful  indul- 
gence. I  said, '  I  will  try  to  abstain  for  Christ's  sake  ;  I  trust 
I  would  do  any  thing  for  His  sake,  and  certainly  I  can  consent 


198  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

to  this  self-denial  that  Jesus  may  be  glorified.'  I  again  accept- 
ed Christ  as  my  Saviour  from  all  sin,  realized  the  witness  of 
the  same  Spirit,  and  since  then  have  been  walking  in  the  light 
as  God  is  in  the  light,  realizing  that  experimental  doctrine  of 
the  fellowship  and  communion  with  saints,  and  humbly  and 
gratefully  testify  that  the  blood  of  Jesus  cleanseth  me  from  all 
sin.  '  As  ye  have  received  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  so  walk  ye 
in  him  ;'  that  is,  as  I  understand, '  Maintain  the  same  attitude 
before  God  you  assumed  when  you  accepted  Christ  as  your  all- 
sufficient  Saviour.'  I  received  Him  in  a  spirit  of  entire  conse- 
cration, implicit  faith,  and  humble  confession.  The  constant 
repetition  of  these  three  steps,  I  find,  enables  me  to  walk  in 
Him.  I  can  not  afford  for  a  single  moment  ever  to  remove  my 
offering,  to  fail  in  looking  unto  Jesus,  or  to  part  with  the  spirit 
of  confession. 

"Thus  I  have  honestly  unfolded  some  personal  experience 
in  connection  with  the  higher  life;  the  recital  humbles  me  in 
the  dust,  as  it  calls  up  the  memory  of  years  of  vacillating  and 
unsatisfactory  religious  life,  but  it  also  fills  me  with  the  pro- 
foundest  gratitude  for  that  abounding  grace  which  not  only 
bore  with  me,  but  brought  me  to  see  again  my  privilege  in  the 
Gospel,  and  now  for  ten  years  has  been  preserving  me  in  the 
experience  and  blessing,  and  in  the  profession  of  this  great 
grace.  Precious  reader,  I  now  offer  you  the  testimony;  but 
mark,  before  it  meets  your  eye  it  has  been  carefully  placed  upon 
the  Altar  that  sanctifieth  the  gift,  and  an  earnest  prayer  offered 
that  it  may  be  blessed  to  your  spiritual  profit.  As  you  lay 
down  this  humble  article,  will  you  not,  for  your  own  sake  and 
for  the  Church's  sake,  resolve  to  be  entirely  and  eternally  the 
Lord's?  God  help  and  bless  you." 

The  candor,  directness,  and  fervor  which  pervade  this  state- 
ment must  commend  it  to  every  one.  The  "Tobacco  Test" 
was  for  himself  alone ;  the  use  of  tobacco  was  in  his  way,  in 
the  full  consecration  which  he  sought  to  make  to  God ;  he 


COMPREHENSIVE   VIEWS   ON    HOLINESS.  199 

did  not  pretend  to  raise  it  as  a  question  for  any  one  else.  With 
him  whatsoever  is  not  of  faith  is  sin ;  what  he  could  not  do  con- 
scientiously, he  could  not  do  at  all ;  but  he  would  have  others 
to  think  and  act  for  themselves  in  doubtful  matters,  believing 
that  every  man  should  be  fully  persuaded  in  his  own  mind. 
Mr.  Cookman,  in  the  presentation  of  the  Christian  life,  was  the 
farthest  removed  from  a  narrow  and  censorious  spirit;  he  never 
raised  artificial  conditions ;  was  not  given  to  the  specifying  of 
isolated  acts  either  of  self-denial  or  performance,  but  rather  in- 
culcated a  broad,  deep,  thorough  devotion,  under  whose  enlight- 
ened impulse  he  was  sure  the  new-born,  or  the  wholly  sanctified 
soul,  would  adjust  itself  to  the  divine  requirements.  It  was  of 
little  consequence  to  him  whether  a  brother  accepted  literally 
his  methods  or  opinions  on  minor  points  of  personal  habit,  so 
he  had  the  root  of  holiness,  and  showed  in  his  life  its  essential 
fruits.  Here  was  a  point  which  aided  not  a  little  to  give  him 
influence  over  all  classes  of  minds. 

Nothing  can  possibly  exceed  the  emphasis  with  which  our 
friend  was  henceforth  committed  to  the  doctrine  of  "perfect 
love."  "Heart  purity" — a  favorite  expression  with  him — was 
from  this  time  to  the  close  of  his  life  the  distinctive  theme 
of  his  ministry ;  not,  however,  to  the  exclusion  of  other  topics, 
but  as  comprehending  all  phases  of  Christian  truth,  penetrating 
and  vivifying  them  with  its  light.  It  absorbed  his  best  thoughts ; 
it  was  the  burden  of  his  ablest  sermons ;  it  was  that  which  was 
best  in  him  as  a  man;  his  whole  being  was  permeated  with  its 
unction  ;  at  home  or  abroad,  in  the  pulpit  or  the  social  circle, 
in  the  study  or  by  the  sea-shore,  at  the  altar  of  prayer  or  by  the 
sick-bed,  the  instinct  of  his  soul,  the  atmosphere  of  his  life,  was 
"  Holiness  to  the  Lord." 

In  connection  with  his  preaching  talents,  his  skill  as  an  ad- 
ministrator of  Church  affairs,  his  aptitude  with  the  Sunday- 
school,  and  his  engaging  manners,  this  rebaptism  with  the  Spirit 
of  power  at  Green  Street  was  most  opportune.  It  fully  equip- 


200  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

ped  him  as  a  good  soldier  of  Christ  for  the  arduous  and  event- 
ful campaign  which  lay  before  him.  What  a  pity  it  is  that  the 
details  of  a  pastorate  so  replete  with  incident  and  instruction 
are  almost  wholly  lost  for  the  want  of  any  proper  record.  The 
words  spoken,  the  deeds  done,  are  bearing  fruit  in  souls,  and 
their  only  transcript  is  the  holy  and  happy  lives  they  helped 
to  form. 

The  revival  spoken  of  began  during  the  first  winter  (1857-8) 
of  Mr.  Cookman's  ministry  at  Green  Street.  I  extract  a  few 
entries  from  his  pocket-diary  as  indicative  of  the  progress  of 
the  work  for  January  and  February  : 

"January  i,  1858. — The  first  day  of  a  new  year.  Oh,  that  it  may  prove 
the  best  day  of  my  life  !  Our  watch-night  was  solemn  and  profitable.  De- 
livered an  address  this  afternoon  at  a  Sabbath-school  anniversary. 

"  January  3. — Preached  in  the  morning  on  '  Having  a  mind  to  work.' 
Eight  joined — four  probation,  four  certificate.  Made  a  Sabbath-school  ad- 
dress in  the  afternoon.  Preached  at  night  on  '  The  loss  of  the  soul.'  A 
solemn  meeting ;  fourteen  at  the  altar ;  two  professed  conversion.  To 
God  be  all  the  glory  ! 

"  January  4. — Greatly  exhausted  to-day.  Attended  a  funeral.  Twenty  at 
the  altar.  Brother  Coombe  preached  for  me — '  Work  out,'  etc.  Two  young 
men  converted.  Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul ! 

"  January  5. — Spent  most  of  the  day  in  the  court-room,  to  which  I  had 
been  summoned  as  a  witness.  Brother  Coombe  preached  a  powerful  sermon 
from  '  Pure  and  undefined  religion.'  Seventeen  or  eighteen  at  the  altar, 
twelve  of  whom  professed  conversion. 

"January  6. — Wasted  a  good  part  of  the  day  at  court.  Led  a  large 

class.  Called  on  Mr.  and  Mrs.  R .  Preached  at  night  from  '  Behold, 

I  stand  at  the  door  and  knock.'  Sixteen  at  the  altar ;  three  professed 
conversion. 

"  January  7. — Trial  still  pending.  Led  a  large  class.  Brother  Coombe 
preached — '  If  only  we  have  hope.'  Twelve  at  the  altar  ;  three  converted. 

"January  8. — Wasted  a  good  deal  of  time  at  the  court-room.  Brother 
Milby  preached  at  night ;  only  two  forward.  O  Lord,  revive  Thy  work ! 

"  January  9. — Visited  court-room  in  the  morning  ;  attended  Old  Folks' 
concert  in  the  afternoon ;  spent  the  evening  in  my  study — not  very  well. 

"  Sunday,  January  10. — Preached,  with  unusual  liberty,  on  the  subject  of 
entire  self-consecration.  Administered  the  sacrament  in  the  afternoon. 


PROGRESS   OF   THE   REVIVAL.  2OI 

Fourteen  joined  the  Church  on  probation,  two  by  certificate.  Brother 
Coombe  preached  at  night ;  five  at  the  altar ;  one  converted.  A  good 
day. 

"  January  1 1. — Attended  preachers'  meeting ;  spent  a  good  part  of  the 
day  in  the  court-room.  Brother  Dunham  preached  very  acceptably  at  night 
from  '  One  thing  is  needful,'  etc.  Five  at  the  altar ;  one  blessed.  Letter 
from  Trenton. 

"  January  13. — Brother  Coombe  preached;  seven  or  eight  forward;  two 
converted. 

"  January  14. — Brother  R.  Humphries  preached ;  eight  or  nine  at  the 
altar ;  two  converted. 

"January  15. — Brother  Jennings  preached;  ten  at  the  altar;  two  con- 
verted. 

"  January  1 6. — God  has  given  me  my  first  daughter.  Oh,  how  multiplied 
are  Heaven's  mercies  ! 

"  January.  17. — Preached  with  considerable  liberty  on  the  'Horrible  pit,' 
etc.  Heard  Dr.  Stockton  in  the  afternoon.  Preached  again  at  night  on  the 
solemn  subject  of  'Death.'  Twelve  at  the  altar;,  one  converted.  Glory  to 
God! 

"  January  18. — Dr.  Cook  preached  for  me  at  night ;  fourteen  at  the  altar; 
four  converted. 

"  January  19. — Lectured  in  Trenton,  N.  J. ;  a  pleasant  visit.  Dr.  Cook 
preached  for  me  ;  twelve  at  the  altar. 

"  January  20. — Returned  from  Trenton  ;  wrote  letters  to ;  love-feast 

at  night ;  a  precious  season ;  ten  or  twelve  at  the  altar ;  one  or  two  con- 
versions. 

"  January  21. — Preparing  material  for  a  charity  sermon.  Led  a  large 
class.  Brother  J.  Thomson  preached  for  me  at  night — a  capital  discourse. 
Twelve  or  eighteen  at  the  altar ;  one  converted. 

"January  22.— Wrote  to  B.  F.  J.,  L.  W.  K.,  E.  M.  H.  Called  on  Helen  P., 
W.  G.  S.,  and  Captain  S.  Dr.  Alday  preached  an  excellent  sermon  from 
'  God  be  merciful,'  etc.  Twelve  or  thirteen  at  the  altar. 

"January  21. — Received  a  letter  from  Washington. 

"  January  24. — Preached  in  the  morning  on  the  duty  of  systematic  benefi- 
cence ;  collection  $200.  In  the  evening  on  '  Ho  !  every  one  that  thirsteth;' 
twenty  at  the  altar — a  number  of  young  men ;  one  converted.  To  God  be 
all  the  glory. 

"  January  26. — Went  to  market.  Accomplished  little  in  my  study.  Vis- 
ited. Brother  Curtis  preached  from  '  Come  unto  me,'  etc. ;  sixteen  at  the 
altar ;  four  converted.  Glory  be  to  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost 

I   2 


2O2  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  "January  27. — Preached  at  night  from  '  I  have  a  message,'  etc.  One  of 
the  best  meetings  we  have  had ;  fifteen  or  eighteen  forward  for  prayers  ;  four 
or  five  blessed. 

"  January  28. — Very  sick,  one  of  my  bilious  attacks,  with  cold — under  the 
care  of  the  physician.  Brother  J.  Thomson  preached ;  two  or  three  con- 
verted. 

"January  29.  —  Considerably  better  to-day,  but  greatly  prostrated. 
Brother  Fernly  preached. 

"  January  30. — Nothing  special.     Far  from  being  well. 

"  January  31. — Preached  in  the  morning  from  'Ye  call  me  Lord  and 
Master,'  etc.  John  preached  for  me  at  night.  A  most  solemn  and  interest- 
ing occasion  ;  eight  or  ten  forward  ;  one  blessed." 

I  give  a  few  extracts  for  the  month  of  February  : 

"  February  6. — Started  for  Washington  ;  spent  an  hour  or  two  in  Balti- 
more ;  reached  our  place  of  destination  about  five  in  the  afternoon  ;  cordially 
received. 

"  February  7. — Preached  the  dedication  sermon  of  Waugh  Chapel ;  con- 
siderable liberty.  John  preached  in  the  afternoon ;  Brother  Dashiell  in  the 
evening  ;  upward  of  $1500  raised.  A  good  day. 

"  February  8. — Visited  the  Capitol,  Smithsonian,  etc.  Heard  a  most  ex- 
citing discussion  in  the  Senate,  and  saw  many  friends.  Lectured  at  night  in 
the  Foundry  Church. 

"  February  9. — Returned  home  ;  all  well.  Heard  of  Bishop  Waugh's 
death.  Patterson  preached  at  night ;  four  blessed, 

"  February  12. — Eighteen  at  the  altar. 

"February  14. — Preached  a  missionary  sermon  in  the  morning — 'What 
think  ye  of  Christ  ?'  A  good  day. 

"February  15. — Preachers'  meeting;  general  class;  twenty-five  at  the 
altar  ;  four  or  five  converted. 

"February  16. — Lectured  in  the  Kensington  Church  in  behalf  of  the  Soup 
Society.  Brother  Seys  preached  at  night ;  three  or  four  blessed. 

"  February  1 7. — Fifteen  at  the  altar  ;  seven  converted. 

"  February  21. — A  triumphant  day.  Brother  Hagany  and  Bishop  Janes 
both  preached  admirably.  $1500  will  probably  be  our  missionary  contribu- 
tion. 

"  February  22. — Preachers'  meeting ;  dined  at  mother's  ;  good  meeting  at 
night ;  eight  at  the  altar ;  one  or  two  converted. 

"February  23. — Wrote  to  S.Thomas;  attended  Helen  P.'s  funeral;  was 
present  at  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Tract  Society." 


AN   EXAMPLE   OF   HIS   PREACHING.  203 

Here  this  fragmentary  diary  closes.  I  present  it  as  showing 
not  only  the  progress  of  the  revival,  but  also  the  busy  life  of 
the  young  city  pastor.  Religious  services  night  after  night, 
with  all  the  taxing  cares  of  a  great  awakening ;  special  services 
in  the  city  and  abroad,  in  lectures  for  feeble  societies  and  dedi- 
catory sermons  for  new  churches.  Elastic  as  was  his  physical 
frame,  he  is  seen  sometimes  almost  sinking  under  sickness,  yet 
he  scarcely  stops  his  arduous  labors,  but  gets  well  "  in  the 
harness."  In  the  midst  of  these  engrossing  parochial  cares 
he  was  touching  the  religious  community  at  all  points,  was  well- 
nigh  ubiquitous  in  all  city  evangelical  movements.  Alfred 
Cookman  was  then,  as  always,  a  man  of  sheer  hard  work  and 
of  all  work.  He  shunned  no  task  however  severe  or  forbidding. 

I  have  at  hand  a  report  of  one  of  his  sermons  preached  dur- 
ing this  great  revival.  Its  insertion  is  in  point,  as  tending  to 
illustrate  the  style  of  his  extemporaneous  discourses,  and  the 
character  of  those  thrilling  home-thrust  appeals  by  which  he 
roused  the  consciences  of  his  hearers : 

"  '  Thou  fool,  this  night  thy  soul  shall  be  required  of  thee? 

"  These  words,  contained  in  St.  Luke's  Gospel,  twelfth  chapter  and  twen- 
tieth verse,  constitute  the  subject  of  a  sermon  preached  last  Sabbath  even- 
ing in  the  Methodist  Church,  Green  Street,  below  Eleventh,  by  the  pastor, 
Rev.  Alfred  Cookman. 

"  Mr.  Cookman  is  among  the  youngest  members  of  the  ministry  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  so  too  among  the  most  promising  of  their  number.  His  genius 
seems  to  be  eagle-winged,  soaring  aloof  from  either  notes  or  manuscript, 
and  pouring  itself  out  in  an  easy-flowing  stream  of  eloquence,  as  sublime  in 
its  flights  as  it  is  forcible  in  argument 

"  The  popular  appreciation  of  this  promising  young  preacher  is  well  ex- 
pressed in  the  immense  audiences  which  usually  throng  the  church  in  which 
he  is  stationed.  On  the  present  occasion  the  house  was  literally  crowded. 
In  attempt:rig  a  synopsis  of  his  able  discourse,  however,  we  shall  endeavor 
rather  to  preserve  the  chain  of  his  argument  than  to  give  a  faithful  transcript 
on  paper  of  his  style  of  oratory.  *  *  * 

"  The  speaker  here  announced  that  the  special  point  of  inquiry  to  which 
he  desired  to  call  the  attention  of  his  hearers  was, 


2O4  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

'IN   WHAT   DID  THIS   MAN'S  FOLLY  CONSIST.' 

'"The  most  degrading  epithet  to  be  found  in  the  vocabulary  of  language 
had  been  applied  to  the  subject  referred  to  in  the  parable. 

" '  Such  an  expression  ("  thou  fool "),  coming  from  the  source  it  did,  must 
have  had  sufficient  reason  to  sustain  it.  But  here  arose  the  difficulty.  The 
great  principle  intended  to  be  taught  by  this  parable  the  reasoning  of  the 
•world  was  not  prepared  to  receive.  Here,  indeed,  was  the  issue.  The  judg- 
ment of  God  was  arrayed  against  the  judgment  of  unconverted  man. 

" '  To  proceed,  however,  with  the  investigation  into  the  folly  of  this  rich 
owner  of  certain  lands,  we  should  probably  be  told,  first — in  vindication  of 
his  course — that  he  had  been  a  rich  man  ;  and  it  was  an  undisputable  fact 
that  riches  covered  a  multitiide  of  sins  !  He  knew,  from  the  fact  that  rich 
men  were  almost  universally  lauded  for  their  wisdom,  that  the  process  of 
fastening  the  charge  of  folly  upon  so  distinguished  a  one  of  their  number 
was  no  idle  undertaking.  Again,  it  would  be  plead  in  his  behalf  that  he 
had  been  industrious  and  persevering,  and  had,  as  a  consequence,  reaped  an 
abundant  harvest  as  his  reward ;  but  the  question  here  arose,  "  Do  enter- 
prise and  wisdom,  in  all  cases,  constitute  synonymous  terms  ?"  He  thought 
not.  Moreover,  he  would  probably  be  accounted  a  wise  man  because  he 
had  taken  thought,  within  himself,  as  to  "  what  he  should  do." 

" '  Yes,  he  had  taken  thought,  and  the  conclusion  of  his  thoughts  had 
been  that  he  would  build  new  barns,  and  on  announcing  this  resolution  he 
did  not  doubt  but  that  he  had  been  regarded  as  the  very  wisest  man  in  all 
that  region.  But,  again,  the  world  would  give  him  credit  for  acting  wisely, 
in  that  he  had  resolved  to  enjoy  himself  with  the  good  things  he  had  accu- 
mulated all  the  rest  of  his  days — for  having  taken  a  resolution,  probably,  of 
associating  with  him  in  his  enjoyments  a  few  select  boon  companions,  who 
should  revel  with  him  in  the  delight  he  was  then  picturing  to  his  soul.' 

"  Here  the  speaker  saw  pictured  before  his  imagination  the  phantom  of 
this  prince  reclining  upon  his  silken  couch  at  the  dead  hour  of  night,  revolv- 
ing in  his  mind  the  glorious  future  that  awaited  him.  This  delineation  was  at 
once  artistic,  eloquent,  and  thrilling.  '  It  was  at  the  dead  hour  of  night :  the 
laborers  of  his  fields  were  soundly  slumbering  in  other  apartments  of  his 
splendid  dwelling ;  but  sleep  on  her  airy  pinions  came  not  to  woo  his  wake- 
ful soul  to  regions  of  repose.  No,  no— his  mind  was  too  much  engaged  in 
counting  over  the  vastness  of  his  wealth  ;  picturing  before  his  excited  vision 
the  full-grown  proportions  of  his  newly  conceived  barns ;  devising  the  mag- 
nificent entertainments  with  which  he  meant  to  regale  his  admiring  friends. 
So  his  soul  was  wandering  into  the  treacherous  regions  of  the  undiscovered 
future,  counting  up  the  years  of  pleasure  yet  to  come,  when  lo  !  suddenly  as 


A   SERMON. THE    RICH    FOOL.  205 

the  lightning's  flash,  a  voice  aroused  him — a  voice  from  a  quarter  least  ex- 
pected and  most  dreaded  thundered  in  his  ear  the  terrible  doom — "THIS 
NIGHT  ! — thy  soul  shall  be  required  of  thee  /" 

" '  Never  had  Belshazzar  been  more  terrified  when  the  miraculous  hand 
had  written  his  doom  upon  the  wall  of  his  banqueting-chamber  than  had 
this  rich  man  been  at  this  midnight  announcement.  Never  had  Saul  of 
Tarsus  been  more  awe-struck  when  at  the  gates  of  Damascus  he  had  been 
stricken  sightless  from  his  horse  by  a  light  from  heaven,  than  had  this  man 
been  on  hearing  his  unlooked-for  doom  at  this  silent  hour  of  the  night. 
And  well  it  might  be  so.  His  transition  from  the  regions  of  his  vision  into 
the  vestibule  of  eternity,  in  a  single  instant,  and  the  certainty  that  before  the 
rosy  dawn  of  morn  he  should  appear  in  the  presence  of  a  sin-judging  Jeho- 
vah, were  enough  to  have  wrung  from  his  lips  the  burning  confession — "  'Tis 
true,  I  am  a  FOOL  indeed  !" 

" '  But  he  would  ask  again,  Wherein  did  his  folly  most  particularly  ap- 
pear ? 

" '  His  answer  to  this  would  be,  first,  "Because  he  had  forgotten  the  claims 
of  God!"  He  had  undertaken  to  arrange  for  himself  a  train  of  future  happi- 
ness— had  begun  the«work  of  hewing  out  for  himself  "  broken  cisterns  that 
could  hold  no  water" — had  lost  sight  of  the  living  pleasures  of  the  future — 
was  indeed  basking  in  pleasures  to  some  extent  of  which  God  does  not  wish 
to  deprive  his  children ;  but  the  matter  which  pre-eminently  stamped  him  as 
a  fool  was  that  he  had  forgotten  the  Author  of  all  his  mercies. 

" '  When  he  had  retired  at  night,  good  angels  had  long  watched  around 
his  couch,  but  they  heard  no  voice  of  thankfulness  offered  to  their  Father  in 
Heaven.  Others  had  mourned  in  penitence  over  their  transgressions,  but 
he  had  no  tears  to  shed  over  his  sins ;  others  had  plead  for  favors  from  the 
Divine  Hand,  but  he  had  no  prayer  to  offer ;  others  had  prayed  for  light  to 
see  the  truth,  but  he  had  no  such  desire,  for  "  he  loved  darkness  rather  than 
light,  because  his  deeds  were  evil ;"  and  from  all  this  it  was  that  the  appella- 
tion of  "fool"  had  been  justly  applied  to  him. 

"  '  But  his  folly  was  apparent,  in  the  second  place,  because  he  had  forgotten 
the  claims  of  his  soul. 

" '  He  had  said,  "  Soul,  take  thine  ease,"  and  herein  had  been  committed 
his  capital  mistake.  What  an  insult  to  the  soul  was  this  !  to  undertake  to 
satisfy  the  future  longings  of  the  soul  by  offering  it  a  species  of  gratification 
that  would  be  equally  tempting  to  a  brute  ! 

" c "  A  fool !"  exclaims  the  objector,  with  perfect  astonishment,  "and  did  he 
not  assiduously  employ  his  thinking  faculties  ?  did  he  not  ask  within  himself 
what  he  should  do  ?"  Yes,  he  admitted  that  he  had  asked  this  question ; 


206  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

and  had  it  been  in  his  (the  speaker's)  province  to  reply,  he  should  have  an- 
swered him,  "  feed  the  hungry  and  clothe  the  naked ;"  but  his  inquiry  had 
not  been  what  he  should  do  to  be  saved,  but  what  he  should  do  for  his 
body.  All  his  inquiries  had  been  concerning  matters  confined  to  this  world, 
entirely  forgetting  the  capacities  and  duration  of  the  soul.'  Here  the  speaker 
inserted  an  emphatic  pause,  and  then  continued,  that  he  '  hoped  all  his  hearers 
would  duly  consider  the  value  of  an  immortal  soul  —  and  withal  consider 
well  the  uncertain  character  of  its  earthly  pilgrimage.  Poised,  as  it  were, 
upon  a  little  point  of  time,  with  heaven  above,  hell  beneath,  and  eternity  be- 
yond, requiring  but  the  slightest  vibration  of  Jehovah's  breath  to  blow  it 
away  forever ! 

"  '  To  neglect  this,  no  matter  what  might  be  our  earthly  achievements,  we 
should  gain  nothing.  "  For  what  shall  it  profit  a  man  (he  prayed  to  God 
that  this  inquiry  might  sink  deep  into  our  hearts)  if  he  gain  the  whole  world 
and  lose  his  own  soul  ?" 

" '  But  again :  He  had  not  only  forgotten  the  claims  of  the  soul,  but  also 
the  claims  of  death.  "Soul,  thou  hast  laid  up  for  many  years"  had  been 
his  declaration.  And  what  a  declaration  this  for  a  being  whose  breath  was 
in  his  nostrils !  It  was  well  to  bear  in  mind  that  of  all  known  uncertainties, 
life  was  the  most  uncertain.  Wealth,  by  means  of  strong  walls  and  iron 
chests,  might  be  safely  secured ;  reputation,  by  preserving  a  strict  correct- 
ness in  all  our  walks  and  actions,  might  be  retained ;  but  see  !  how  is  it  with 
human  life  ?  Mark  yonder  railroad  train  flying  along  the  iron  way  with 
lightning  speed — there  is  a  sudden  crash  !  It  was  the  work  of  an  instant ;  and 
now  we  may  pass  around  among  the  dead,  the  dying,  and  the  wounded  of 
that  mass  of  living,  happy  beings  but  a  moment  before  !  Yes,  even  to-day 
the  realization  of  a  scene  like  this  had  been  echoed  through  our  streets,  and 
his  hearers  had  doubtless'  heard  of  it 

" '  Die  we  must,  be  our  circumstances  whatever  they  may.  We  could  not 
tell  what  would  become  of  us,  yet  heaven  or  hell  must  be  our  destiny. 

" '  Death  had  come  to  the  rich  man  in  the  text,  and  at  the  dead  hour  of 
night  laid  his  skeleton  hand  upon  him,  and  thundered  into  his  ears,  "  This 
night  thy  soul  shall  be  required  !"  Then  probably  the  first  prayer  had  been 
wrung  from  those  ungrateful  lips,  as  he  implored  the  fell  messenger  to  spare 
him  but  till  morning,  that  he  might  take  leave  of  his  family,  or  that  he  might 
execute  his  will,  or,  above  all,  that  he  might  have  if  it  were  but  an  hour  to 
make  his  peace  with  God.  But  no !  the  decree  of  the  avenger  had  gone 
forth,  and  was  inexorable  in  its  demands.  Now  was  the  time — now  he  must 
die! 

"'Oh!   how  great  had  been  the  folly  of  this  man — and  yet  there,  were 


DEDICATION    IN   WASHINGTON,  D.  C.  207 

many  of  us  quite  as  foolish  as  he :  -like  fools  we  were  living,  and,  like  the 
arch  infidel  Voltaire,  when  we  come  to  die  it  would  be  to  "  take  a  leap  in 
the  dark." 

"'But  lastly:  He  had  not  only  forgotten  the  claims  of  God,  of  his  soul, 
and  of  death,  but  he  had  forgotten  the  claims  of  judgment.  The  evidences 
of  Scripture  were  most  explicit  that  "  what  a  man  soweth,  that  shall  he  also 
reap."  Another  rule  was,  that  in  proportion  as  we  had  received  it  would 
be  required  of  us  in  the  end.  And  in  view  of  this,  he  would  ask  of  the  soul 
that  had  never  been  washed  in  the  laver  of  regeneration — that  had  never 
responded  to  the  noble  impulses  of  a  god-like  charity,  but  whose  whole  ex- 
istence had  been  devoted  to  the  circumscribed  limits  of  self-aggrandizement 
—of  what  value  was  it  all  ?  for  in  the  hour  of  death  all  would  have  to  be 
given  up.  And  then  that  awful  future  !  where,  instead  of  drinking  of  the 
pure,  delightful  waters  that  flow  from  beneath  the  Father's  throne,  the  lost 
soul  must  drink  the  bitter  cup  of  the  Father's  wrath,  even  to  its  dregs ;  and, 
instead  of  basking  amid  the  melodies  of  heavenly  anthems,  must  forever 
dwell  amid  the  desponding  echoes  of  the  groans  of  the  tormented.' 

"  The  above  sermon  was  an  extemporaneous  effort  entirely,  and  elicited 
the  most  marked  attention  throughout  its  delivery." 

The  services  of  Mr.  Cookman,  at  the  dedication  of  Waugh 
Chapel,  referred  to  in  his  diary,  produced  at  Washington  the 
impression  which  the  advent  of  a  "  Cookman  "  was  adapted  to 
make  in  the  national  capital.  A  correspondent  of  one  of  our 
Advocates  wrote  of  the  occasion  : 

"  I  will  allude  to  but  one  more  point,  and  that  is  the  dedica- 
tion of  Waugh  Chapel  last  Sabbath.  The  services  were  ex- 
tremely interesting.  The  sermons  in  the  morning  and  afternoon 
were  preached  by  the  Revs.  Alfred  Cookman  and  John  Emory 
Cookman,  both  sons  of  the  late  lamented  George  Cookman, 
who  was  lost  on  the  ill-fated  President.  Both  of  these  young 
men  partake  in  a  remarkable  degree  of  the  spirit  and  eloquence 
which  characterized  their  father,  especially  as  seen  in  his  little 
volume  of  published  speeches  and  sermons.  The  sermon  in  the 
morning  was  a  beautiful  exposition  of  the  reasons  why  the  apos- 
tle '  gloried  in  the  Cross,'  in  which  the  youthful  speaker  held 
an  overflowing  audience,  among  whom  were  many  members  of 


2O8  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Congress  and  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  in  almost  breathless 
attention  for  more  than  an  hour.  In  the  afternoon  there  was 
another  great  crowd  to  hear  John  Emory  Cookman,  who  is,  I 
learn,  only  nineteen  years  of  age,  and  who  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Church  but  one  year.  Both  of  these  young  men  are  des- 
tined ere  long,  if  their  lives  are  spared,  to  rank  among  the  most 
popular  pulpit  orators  in  our  country." 

Among  the  conversions  with  which  God  honored  the  minis- 
try of  Mr.  Cookman  during  this  period  was  that  of  his  brother 
George,  who,  though  next  oldest  to  himself,  had  never  before 
professed  saving  faith  in  Christ.  On  the  first  Sabbath  evening 
of  January,  1859,  Mr.  Cookman  preached  a  most  solemn  and 
earnest  sermon  on  the  word  "Now"  to  an  immense  congrega- 
tion, and  at  its  close  invited  penitents  to  the  altar.  He  was 
feeling  that  night  an  especial  solicitude  for  the  conversion  of 
his  brother.  The  brother  was  seated  in  the  rear  of  the  choir 
(front)  gallery,  and,  though  the  obstacles  were  apparently  great, 
he  deliberately  arose,  descended  to  the  lower  floor,  and  came 
forward  to  the  altar  and  was  converted.  Nothing  could  exceed 
the  joy  of  the  pastor  at  this  result,  in  which  the  brother  who 
had  been  the  companion  of  his  boyhood  was  given  to  him  in 
the  fellowship  of  Jesus.  The  two  became  inseparable  workers 
for  the  Master — George  rivaling  in  the  ranks  of  the  laity  the 
zeal  and  usefulness  of  Alfred  in  the  ranks  of  the  ministry.  If 
Alfred's  ministry  at  Green  Street  had  done  nothing  more  than 
to  give  to  Methodism  and  to  Christianity  at  large  in  Philadel- 
phia, George  Cookman,  as  an  example  of  piety  and  earnest 
work,  it  would  have  been  enough.  His  career  was  destined  to 
be  short,  but  full  of  good  fruits,  and  such  as  only  few  young  lay- 
men in  America  have  lived. 

As  evincing  the  manifold  character  of  Mr.  Cookman's  minis- 
try at  this  time,  his  adaptation  to  all  classes,  the  attractiveness 
of  his  singularly  pure  and  persuasive  influence,  there  was  a 
young  Friend  taken  into  the  Church  by  him  who  has  since  filled 


MISS   ANNIE    E.  DICKINSON.  2OQ 

no  small  place  in  the  public  estimation.  This  thoughtful,  ar- 
dent young  woman  found  in  Mr.  Cookman's  spirit  and  instruc- 
tions what  her  nature  needed.  She  came  out  from  the  Society 
of  Friends,  and  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
She  showed  a  genuine  piety,  an  inquiring  temper,  and  promise 
of  marked  usefulness.  What  her  precise  relations  to  the  Chris- 
tian Church  may  be  at  present,  I  do  not  know;  but  there  is 
not  a  loyal  heart  in  all  America  that  has  not  beaten  respon- 
sively  to  the  truthful,  brave,  and  eloquent  words  which  she 
afterward  uttered  in  the  nation's  darkest  trials.  Her  scathing 
rebukes  of  treason  and  her  searching  exposures  of  wrong,  her 
animated,  cheerful  eulogies  of  liberty,  heroism,  and  the  flag, 
have  roused  to  hatred  of  violence  and  to  love  of  right  even 
where  the  arguments  of  men  had  failed.  I  refer  to  Miss  Annie 
E.  Dickinson.  The  tribute  which  she  has  kindly  written  to 
the  memory  of  him  who  was  for  so  brief  a  time  her  pastor 
abundantly  attests  the  depth  of  her  attachment  for  him,  and 
proves  that  her  heart  must  be  in  sympathy  with  the  great  truths 
which  it  was  his  single  joy  to  advance. 
To  the  Rev.  John  E.  Cookman  : 

"  It  is  not  an  easy  task  you  mark  me.  *  *  *  Years  have  gone  by  since  I 
sat  down  by  your  brother,  looked  into  a  face  that  warmed  like  the  sun,  and 
listened  to  a  voice  that  called  me  away  from  all  things  poor  and  mean  and 
earthly,  as  a  strain  of  celestial  music  might  call. 

"  Long  years  full  of  strife  and  care  and  toil — yet  face  and  voice  seem  and 
sound  as  clear  as  though  they  shone  and  spoke  but  yesterday. 

"  A  love  of  humanity  wide  as  humanity,  a  charity  inexhaustible,  an  ear- 
nestness that  stirred  the  most  careless,  a  hungering  and  thirsting  after  right- 
eousness— not  for  its  rewards — a  tireless  effort  in  season  and  out  of  season, 
with  tender,  yet  powerful  touch  to  mould  and  fashion  others  into  the  like- 
ness of  the  Master  ;  a  longing  so  boundless  to  be  like  his  Master,  as  to  wear 
through  flesh  and  blood  full  early,  and  carry  the  sanctified  soul  to  know 
Him  '  face  to  face.' 

"  This  was  Alfred  Cookman. 

"  Sad  hearts  out  of  count  has  he  left  behind ;  eyes  will  grow  dim  and 
voices  choked  for  years  to  come,  when  they  think  of  or  speak  his  name. 


210  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

For  he  was  one  of  those  rare  souls  so  exalted  as  to  breathe  the  atmosphere 
of  heaven,  yet  so  gently  human  as  to  draw  love  and  tenderness  from  whoso 
approached  him.  , 

"  So  his  life  seems  to  me,  and,  so  seeming,  I  would  that  my  pen  were 
gifted  with  some  of  his  subtle  power  to  show  it  forth  to  others. 

"As  it  is,  I  speak  from  my  heart." 

Only  one  letter  of  Mr.  Cookman  of  this  particular  period  has 
come  into  my  possession.  It  was  written  on  his  birthday  to 
his  wife  at  her  parental  home  in  Columbia,  and  breathes  the 
child-like,  playful  spirit,  the  earnest,  constant  zeal  which  so  uni- 
formly and  beautifully  blended  in  his  daily  life.  I  can  imagine 
the  air  of  conscious  dignity  with  which  the  presents  of  the  little 
brothers  were  accepted,  as  though  they  had  conferred  upon 
their  papa  a  real  benefaction. 

To  his  wife,  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Cookman  : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  Tuesday  afternoon,  January  4, 1859. 
"  Certainly  you  will  expect  me  to  act  the  correspondent  on  my  birthday. 
Thirty-one  years  ago  I  struck  Columbia  in  my  descent  to  this  sorrow-smit- 
ten planet  From  that  starting-point  I  have  prosecuted  an  eventful  and,  in 
most  respects,  a  delightful  pilgrimage.  To-day  I  erect  my  Ebenezer  again, 
and  gratefully  acknowledge  '  hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped  me.'  Our  meet- 
ing is  progressing  with  considerable  interest  and  success.  Last  night,  des- 
pite the  snow-storm,  the  body  of  the  church  was  quite  well  filled.  Brother 
E.  J.  Way  preached  an  excellent  sermon.  Ten  presented  themselves  for 
prayers,  and  four  were  happily  converted.  George  is  proceeding  most  pros- 
perously in  his  Christian  course ;  he  says  he  is  perfectly  satisfied.  Saidie 
tells  us  that  last  night  he  went  to  bed,  joyously  singing,  '  I  will  believe,  I 
now  believe,  that  Jesus  died  for  me.'  Nothing,  she  estimates,  could  exceed 
his  tenderness  and  kindness  to  her.  He  was  always  faithful  and  affection- 
ate, but  now,  she  states,  there  is  an  expression  and  exhibition  of  this  feeling 
she  has  never  seen  before.  It  will  inaugurate  a  new  epoch  in  their  domestic 
history.  Saidie  is  resolved  that  George  shall  not  go  to  heaven  without 
her.  Her  mind,  I  think,  is  made  up  to  walk  with  him  in  the  narrow  way. 
She  talks  about  nothing  else,  and  weeps  almost  constantly.  Oh,  that  her 
night  may  soon  end  in  joyous  clay  !  The  children  are  both  well.  Just  now 
they  came  into  my  study  and  placed  on  my  table  their  porte-monnaies,  saying, 
'  Pa,  this  is  your  birthday  present  from  us.'  Dear  little  fellows,  they  did  it 


THE   SECRET   OF    HIS   USEFULNESS.  211 

of  their  own  accord,  and  in  perfect  good  faith.  I  put  their  present  in  my 
pocket,  and  thanked  them  very  sincerely.  They  will  not  be  separated. 
George  asks  a  great  many  questions  about  his  sister  Annie  ;  wants  to  know 
if  she  will  live  after  the  doctor  cuts  her  with  his  lancet.  When  I  speak  of 
ma's  return,  their  little  eyes  dance  with  delight." 

I  close  the  Green  Street  pastorate  with  a  brief  testimony 
from  J.  F.  Bird,  M.D.,  a  member  of  the  charge : 

"  He  got  behind  the  'Cross'  on  the  occasion  of  his  first  sermon,  and  there 
remained  until  his  term,  which  continued  for  two  years,  was  ended.  The 
young  people  crowded  to  hear  him,  and  very  many  became  earnest  members 
of  the  Church  through  his  instrumentality,  and  are  now  doing  good  service 
in  '  every  good  word  and  work.'  Among  them  was  his  brother  George. 
At  one  of  the  most  interesting  services  ever  held  in  this  or  any  other  church, 
this  dearly  beloved  brother  presented  himself  at  the  altar,  and  very  soon  was 
happily  converted.  In  writing  to  an  absent  friend,  giving  an  account  of  this 
conversion,  he  said, '  I  shout  with  my  pen  and  with  my  soul  over  the  auspi- 
cious event.'  He  had  labored  for  it  and  prayed  for  it  incessantly  by  night 
and  by  day,  and  therefore  could  not  but  '  shout '  when  his  desire  was  real- 
ized. 

"  Mr.  Cookman  always  regarded  this  appointment  as  one  of  the  happiest, 
as  it  was  one  of  the  most  successful,  of  his  ministerial  career.  He  labored 
for  the  good  of  the  people.  He  lost  sight  of  self.  This  was  the  secret  of  his 
success.  An  intelligent  member  of  the  Church  was  asked  by  a  member  of 
the  Conference  what  was  '  the  secret  of  Cookman's  success.'  The  answer 
was, '  His  evident  desire  to  do  the  people  good.'  " 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE   UNION  CHURCH,  PHILADELPHIA. — SLAVERY  AGITATION. — 
CHRISTIAN   UNION. 

THE  next  turn  of  the  itinerant  wheel  did  not  take  Mr.  Cook- 
man  far.  He  was  appointed  by  Bishop  Scott  to  the  Union 
Church  on  Fourth  Street,  in  March,  1859.  The  Union  charge 
is  the  next  oldest  to  St.  George's  in  the  city,  and  is  surrounded 
by  business  houses,  which  have  from  year  to  year  pressed  out 
the  resident  population  to  remoter  sections.  It  is  still  a  strong 
station ;  but  at  the  time  Mr.  Cookman  was  sent  to  it,  before 
other  charges  had  been  created,  either  wholly  or  partially  from 
its  membership,  it.  was  a  powerful  organization,  including  some 
of  the  most  influential  families  of  Methodism.  Many  of  these 
families  came  from  a  distance,  preferring  to  continue  in  con- 
nection with  a  Church  with  which  theyjiad  been  so  long  in 
close  fellowship  to  joining  those  which  were  nearer  their  resi- 
dences. The  Union  was  consequently  not  so  favorably  located 
for  a  large  congregation ;  but  its  proximity  to  the  hotels  and 
its  free  seats  were  advantageous  conditions,  and  Mr.  Cookman's 
popularity  began  immediately  to  produce  an  increased  attend- 
ance upon  the  public  services. 

As  indicative  of  the  high  estimate  in  which  Mr.  Cookman's 
ministry  was  held,  I  make  a  brief  extract  from  a  letter  of  Mr. 
Thomas  L.  Mason,  a  well-known  member  of  Union  Church. 
Writing  to  the  Rev.  John  E.  Cookman,  he  says : 

"  When  Alfred  was  in  Pittsburgh  he  promised  me  that,  if  the  appointing 
power  would  agree  to  it,  he  would  be  pleased  to  be  pastor  of  Union.  When 
Conference  met,  Green  Street  (being  heavily  in  debt)  insisted  upon  having 
him,  and  to  accommodate  our  Green  Street  friends  we  gave  in,  with  the  un- 


CONGENIAL  AND   HELPFUL   FRIENDS.  213 

derstanding  that  at  the  expiration  of  two  years  he  would  be  sent  to  Union 
— and  so  he  was.  Our  parsonage  was  in  Eighth  Street,  above  Race,  but,  to 
accommodate  his  little  children,  we  removed  it  to  224  North  Fifth  Street, 
and  partially  refurnished  it.  He  was  received  at  Union  with  open  arms  and 
open  hearts.  Our  congregations  were  good,  our  finances  much  improved. 
He  was  particularly  successful  with  the  young." 

Mr.  Cookman  had  the  happiness  of  having  many  choice 
friends  in  the  congregation.  There  were  those  under  his  min- 
istry who  had  long  held  him  in  the  highest  personal  esteem. 
His  whole  nature  found  scope  for  its  gratification.  Around 
genial  hearth-stones  his  sanctified  affections  enjoyed  agreeable 
companionship,  while  in  the  Church  his  hands  were  strength- 
ened by  judicious  counsels  and  tender  sympathies.  The  Rev. 
Andrew  Longacre,  laid  aside  by  feeble  health  from  the  active 
work  of  the  ministry,  was  a  member  of  the  congregation,  and 
ministered,  by  his  calm  and  gentle  friendship,  to  his  comfort 
and  usefulness.  His  brother  George,  in  the  first  flush  of  spirit- 
ual grace,  with  uncommon  endowments  of  speech  and  song, 
was  at  his  elbow.  His  own  mother,  also,  was  one  of  his  flock. 
She  who  had  so  often  fed  him  with  the  Word  of  life,  must  now 
be  fed  by  him.  But  now,  as  before  and  since,  she  gave,  if  pos- 
sible, more  than  she  received.  To  lean  on  the  support  of  a 
wisdom  which,  in  his  opinion,  had  become  almost  oracular,  a 
faith  which  knew  no  abatement,  a  zeal  which  no  waters  could 
quench,  was  to  him  no  slight  privilege,  a  rich  blessing  in  so  ar- 
duous a  position.  There,  too,  was  the  sanctuary  in  the  private 
house  of  Mr.  J.  B.  Longacre,  on  Spring  Garden  Street,  which 
the  pastor  could  regard  as  very  much  his  own,  and  to  which,  as 
to  a  quiet  haven,  he  habitually  resorted.  The  eldest  daughter 
of  Mr.  Longacre,  Mrs.  John  Keen,  upon  the  decease  of  her  de- 
vout mother,  still  maintained  the  meetings  for  "holiness"  which 
her  mother  had  founded.  These  meetings  had  been  from  their 
commencement  a  gathering-point  for  the  friends  of  the  higher 
Christian  life  in  Philadelphia.  Here  Mr.  Cookman's  heart  was 


214  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

often  refreshed;  and  issuing  thence  with  deeper,  calmer  thoughts 
of  God,  he  entered  upon  the  recurring  duties  of  his  large  and 
laborious  pastorate  with  perceptibly  increased  vigor  and  suc- 
cess. 

More  than  ever  before,  the  earnest  pastor,  thus  beloved  at 
home,  was  in  demand  abroad.  Whether  announced  in  his  own 
city  or  in  any  other  place,  on  special  occasions,  he  was  sure  to 
be  greeted  by  a  throng  of  people.  His  preaching  at  times  was 
with  overwhelming  effect.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Longacre  gives  an 
account  of  the  popular  influence  of  a  sermon  preached  about 
this  time  at  Penn's  Grove  camp-meeting  in  New  Jersey : 

"  I  recall  a  sermon  he  preached  at  a  camp-meeting  in  New  Jersey,  on  the 
text  'Thy  will  be  done.'  The  collection  preceded  the  sermon,  and  it  left 
the  congregation  a  good  deal  unsettled.  But  at  the  first  sound  of  his  voice 
all  was  hushed  into  attention.  As  he  preached  and  passed  on  into  the  ap- 
peal of  his  discourse,  the  whole  vast  throng  was  bowed  in  tears.  People 
wept  aloud,  the  preachers  crowding  the  stand,  and  the  passers-by  on  the 
edge  of  the  circle.  Near  me  was  seated  a  traveling  preacher  of  the  Hicksite 
Friends.  He  had  been  restless  at  first,  but  gradually  seemed  subdued  by 
the  power  of  the  preacher,  until  at  the  conclusion  he  stood  up  and  cried 
with  a  loud  voice,  as  if  yielding  to  the  constraining  influence  of  the  Spirit, 
'  We  have  heard  the  Gospel  preached  in  the  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and 
with  power.'  We  went  to  the  tables  right  after  the  service,  but  for  many 
minutes  those  at  our  table  could  not  eat.  We  sat  looking  at  each  other, 
and  weeping  tears  that  could  not  be  controlled." 

During  the  autumn  of  1859,  Mr.  Cookman  was  invited  to 
Baltimore  to  preach  at  Monument  Street  Church.  This  was 
one  of  the  churches  comprised  in  the  Baltimore  City  Station 
when  his  father  was  one  of  the  pastors.  His  coming  was  a 
signal  for  an  outpouring  of  his  devoted  friends  and  the  public 
generally.  He  wrote  to  his  wife  : 

"  I  seize  a  moment  to  drop  you  a  line.  These  Baltimore  friends  are  so 
incessant  in  their  attentions  and  so  abundant  in  their  kindness  that  I  have 
scarce  opportunity  to  think  of  any  thing  but  what  is  passing  around  me. 

"  Yesterday  I  preached  to  overflowing  congregations.  Although  the 
North  Baltimore  friends  had  concluded  not  to  advertise  the  service,  fearing 


VISIT   TO    BALTIMORE.  215 

an  unmanageable  crowd,  yet  both  morning  and  evening  hundreds  went  away 
who  could  not  be  accommodated  with  standing-room. 

"  I  preached  '  Power '  in  the  morning,  and  the  '  New  Birth '  at  night ;  in 
the  afternoon  made  three  addresses ;  spent  a  sleepless  night.  To-day  am 
hardly  able  to  stagger  about.  This  morning  at  ten  we  had  a  most  precious 
meeting  for  an  hour  and  a  half.  My  soul  is  kept  in  perfect  peace.  Oh,  the 
strong  consolation  there  is  in  Christ  How  delightful  to  labor  when  we  re- 
alize the  presence  of  the  Master. 

"  Invitations  for  dinner  and  tea  are  more  numerous  than  I  can  possibly 
accept.  The  friends  vie  with  each  other  in  their  kind  attentions.  Look  out 
for  me  on  Wednesday.  Love  to  all  friends.  Many  kisses  for  the  children. 
Tell  them  to  be  very  good." 

To  his  wife,  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Cookman  : 

"  I  am  sure  you  will  not  object  to  receiving  a  few  lines  from  a  lonely  hus- 
band. An  exceedingly  pleasant  ride  on  the  cars  brought  us  to  Philadelphia 
about  five  P.M.  On  my  way  to  the  parsonage  I,  of  course,  dropped  in  at 
the  Race  Street  homestead.  Mother  and  Mary  were  making  their  arrange- 
ments to  sup  with  Mrs.  W.  W.  Cookman.  All  were  very  well,  and  full  of 
inquiries  respecting  yourself  and  the  children. 

"  Arriving  at  the  '  Fifth  Street  house,'  I  was  welcomed  by  Lizzie  P , 

who  had  every  thing  very  clean  and  comfortable.  Taking  up  my  letters 
and  papers,  I  felt  such  a  sense  of  loneliness  as  can  not  be  described.  I  re- 
membered this  would  not  do,  and  as  I  bowed  my  knee  in  prayer  sweetly  re- 
alized that  I  was  in  the  best  of  company.  My  compassionate  Saviour  came 
quickly  to  my  relief,  and  the  room  was  transformed  into  the  audience-cham- 
ber of  Deity.  Oh,  how  unutterably  sweet — how  indescribably  valuable  is  the 
religion  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  My  appreciation  and  enjoyment  of  its  sacred 
influences  are  increasing  day  by  day. 

"  My  letters  were  from  Rev.  H.  Slicer,  inclosing  an  invitation  and  a  free 
pass  to  the  Shrewsbury  camp-meeting;  and  another  from  the  Rev.Mr.Thom- 
as,  urging  me  to  serve  him  on  the  occasion  of  .a  church  dedication.  The 
former  I  will  avail  myself  of;  the  latter  I  must  decline." 

The  Shrewsbury  camp-meeting  was  a  favorite  resort  of  Mr. 
Cookman.  He  loved  to  meet  the  Baltimore  Methodists  when- 
ever he  could,  and  nowhere  were  his  labors  more  acceptable 
and  useful  than  among  them  at  their  camp  meetings.  He  will 
be  heard  of  again  at  Shrewsbury. 


2l6  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

To  his  wife,  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Cookman  : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  Saturday  morning. 

"  Home  again  !  In  view  of  my  general  class,  and  for  the  sake  of  a  good 
night's  rest,  I  left  the  camp-ground*  yesterday  afternoon.  It  has  been  a 
memorable  week.  The  recollection  just  now  fills  my  soul  with  gratitude 

and  joy.  Our  company  was  select  and  entirely  congenial.  Brother  Y 

was  sweeter  than  ever.  It  seems  to  me  that,  as  he  approaches  his  rest,  he 
is  becoming  increasingly  heavenly. 

"  Mother  and  Mary  were  with  me  in  our  little  tent,  which  was  arranged 
tastefully.  No  pains  were  spared  in  contributing  to  our  comfort.  The 
preaching  was  capital ;  the  success  unusual.  I  occupied  the  stand  yester- 
day morning,  and  held  forth  the  Word  of  life  before  an  immense  multitude. 
The  meetings  held  at  the  Union  tent  were  powerful  and  precious  beyond  all 
description.  On  Thursday  morning  we  had  a  season  which  some  of  us  will 
think  and  talk  about  when  we  stand  on  Canaan's  happy  shore.  Oh,  how 
often  and  how  much  I  longed  for  my  darling  wife.  The  fullness  for  which 
you  pant  would,  I  think,  have  been  realized  amid  those  scenes.  However, 
Christ  is  an  omnipresent  Saviour,  and  just  as  gracious  at  Columbia  as  at 
Penn's  Grove.  More  particulars  respecting  the  meeting  I  will  furnish  when 
we  meet. 

"  I  will  try  to  be  with  you  next  week.  My  Sabbath  work  will  oblige  me, 
I  fear,  to  return  the  latter  part  of  the  week,  as  I  have  arranged  to  exchange 
with  N.  Heston  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  August,  and  to  be  out  of  my  pul- 
pit two  Sabbaths  successively  would  hardly  do.  If,  however,  I  return  to  the 
city,  it  will  be  to  leave  for  Columbia  the  following  Monday  again,  en  route 
for  Shrewsbury.  I  am  very  well  soul  and  body.  My  heart  is  full  of  love, 
and  my  future  full  of  light.  God  is  with  me,  and  proves  himself  a  sufficient 
portion.  I  have  three  services  to-morrow." 

Mr.  Cookman's  pastoral  term  at  Union,  happy  as  it  was  in 
most  of  its  aspects,  was  not  wholly  without  trials.  It  covered 
a  period  which  was  one  of  great  anxiety  and  perplexity  both  in 
the  State  and  the  Church.  The  "  irrepressible  conflict "  between 
slavery  and  freedom  was  fast  approaching  a  crisis.  The  ele- 
ments of  dissatisfaction  and  discord,  which  had  been  rising 
and  gathering,  had-  assumed  such  intensity  as  to  forebode  the 
most  violent  and  destructive  storm.  The  whole  nation  trem- 
*  Penn's  Grove,  New  Jersey. 


THE   ANTI-SLAVERY   AGITATION.  2  17 

bled  with  uncontrollable  agitation  ;  every  ecclesiastical  organi- 
zation, and  more  especially  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
was  shaking  to  its  centre  with  a  controversy,  the  sharpness  of 
which  had  precipitated  the  most  equable  men  into  bitter  hos- 
tility. Hatred  was  fast  taking  the  place  of  love;  distrust  of 
confidence;  lifetime  friends  were  becoming  alienated;  section 
was  arraying  itself  against  section ;  Northern  opinion  was  di- 
vided ;  men  stood  side  by  side  on  'Change,  or  sat  side  by  side 
in  the  pew,  or  ate  together,  members  of  the  same  family,  who 
differed  almost  wholly  in  their  judgment  of  the  causes  and  the 
cure  of  national  and  ecclesiastical  troubles. 

It  was  one  of  those  times  of  decision  in  which  Almighty  God 
brings  nations  and  individuals  to  the  bar  of  judgment,  and  to 
which  destiny  holds  them  with  an  inexorable  grasp.  The  wisest 
men  stood  bewildered  in  counsel;  Conservatives  were  wringing 
their  hands  in  despair  or  clinching  their  fists  in  fury;  and  even 
Radicals,  while  not  doubting  the  correctness  of  their  principles, 
were  alarmed  at  the  consequences  which  their  success  threat- 
ened to  entail.  "  Conscience,"  exclaimed  Mr.  Hunter,  of  Vir- 
ginia, in  the  United  States  Senate,  "has  done  this.  Sir,  there 
is  no  hope  of  reconciliation  or  of  the  Union ;  the  conscience  of  the 
North  is  against  us."  It  was  so ;  the  enlightened  conscience 
of  the  free  states  had  reached  a  point  when  it  could  no  longer 
tolerate  the  extension  of  slavery. 

This  conscience,  however,  was  not  yet  prepared  to  demand 
its  abolition  in  the  slave  states.  Very  few  of  the  most  pro- 
nounced anti-slavery  men  felt  themselves  to  be  a  party  to  the 
wrong  where  it  was  protected  by  municipal  law,  and  was  be- 
yond any  possible  constitutional  process  except  by  the  concur- 
rence of  those  who  framed  these  municipal  laws.  Yet  there 
were  men  in  the  Church  whose  conscience  compelled  them  to 
exert  themselves  to  abate  slavery  in  the  Church  by  requiring 
all  slaveholding  members  to  emancipate  their  slaves.  They 
wished  thus  to  leaven  the  State  through  the  Church  ;  to  assist 

K 


2l8  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

in  creating,  by  a  clear  testimony  and  by  such  ecclesiastic  press- 
ure as  they  could  command,  a  public  sentiment  in  favor  of 
"  abolition."  There  were  differences  of  opinion  as  to  the  power 
of  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
to  expel  members  for  slaveholding,  and  also  as  to  the  expedi- 
ency of  exercising  this  power  if  it  existed.  The  differences  of 
opinion  were  not  confined  to  any  locality  of  the  Church,  though 
those  who  held  an  opinion  adverse  to  such  a  power  were  massed 
mostly  along  the  "  Border  Conferences,"  embracing  the  Balti- 
more, Philadelphia,  Pittsburgh,  West  Virginia,  and  Missouri 
Conferences,  with  contiguous  Conferences  lying  north. 

The  whole  question  has  since  been  consigned  by  the  "  logic 
of  events  "  to  a  dead  past,  and  is  of  interest  chiefly  as  one  of 
the  teachings  of  history.  No  issues  which  have  since  trans- 
pired can  throw  the  shadow  of  a  suspicion  on  the  honesty  of 
the  men  who,  in  so  great  a  debate,  stood  and  acted  apart. 
Time  has  healed — no,  victory,  in  the  happiest  fruits  of  right- 
eousness and  peace,  has  healed  the  breaches  of  the  angry  strife. 
But  it  was  an  ordeal  for  many  souls  which  can  not  soon  be  for- 
gotten— a  fiery  trial — and  though  it  only  consumed  the  straw, 
that  the  gold  might  shine  with  the  richer  splendor,  it  was  not 
the  less  painful  in  its  endurance. 

Mr.  Cookman  was  among  those  who  believed  that  a  law 
should  be  enacted  excluding  slaveholders  from  the  Church. 
When  measures  were  introduced  to  effect  this  change,  through 
what  was  deemed  the  proper  constitutional  process,  he  gave 
them  his  prompt  and  uniform  support  by  voting  for. them.  He 
stood  almost  alone  in  his  Conference.  There  was  a  small  knot 
of  six  or  seven  men  out  of  about  three  hundred,  and  these  were 
most  of  them  men  of  advanced  years.  He  was  young,  bright, 
popular,  the  idol  of  his  brethren  and  of  the  people ;  his  early 
education  had  been  in  the  South ;  his  principal  friends  were 
either  slaveholders  or  their  sympathizers  ;  his  opinions  seemed 
to  impugn  the  piety  of  people  who  nourished  him  in  infancy  and 


A   COURAGEOUS   VOTE.  219 

youth ;  his  vote  seemed  to  fasten  sin  on  those  who  were  re- 
garded as  above  reproach  ;  the  measure  he  supported  must 
exclude  many  from  the  Church  whom  he  hoped  to  meet  in 
heaven,  and  even  apparently  blot  with  a  stain  the  memory  of 
many  who  had  died  in  the  faith.  But  Alfred  Cookman  felt  that 
he  must  do  his  duty.  He  would  not  follow  his  principles  to  all 
their  logical  results ;  he  could  only  see  principles,  and  to  them 
he  must  stand. 

He  did  not  question  the  piety  and  virtue  of  thousands  hith- 
erto and  then  involved  in  slaveholding ;  but  of  two  evils  he  must 
accept  the  least.  The  opportunity  had  come  for  him  to  act, 
and  it  was  for  him  to  say  whether  he  should  spare  the  feelings 
of  friends,  or  do  what  he  could  to  liberate  five  millions  of  slaves  ; 
whether  he  should  pander  to  a  spirit  of  oppression,  even  though 
softened  by  religion,  or  strike  a  blow  for  universal  freedom. 
He  rose  to  the  crisis  of  the  hour.  Cutting  away  from  all  social 
and  personal  entanglements,  the  man  stood  forth  in  an  act  of 
moral  heroism  seldom  surpassed  in  the  history  of  Methodism. 
When  the  resolutions  initiating  the  change  were  pending  before 
his  Conference,  he  got  down  on  his  knees  in  the  pew,  and, 
bathed  in  tears,  poured  out  his  soul  to  God  for  light  and  strength, 
and  arose  and  voted  "Aye!"  Here  was  the  iron  in  his  nature. 

Let  those  who  think  Alfred  Cookman  was  not  a  man  of  the 
truest  and  highest  courage  mark  this.  His  forbearance  for  the 
weaknesses  of  men,  his  indisposition  to  insist  upon  points  in 
which  men  differed  with  him,  his  great  charity,  which  folded  in 
its  arms  earnest  souls  and  dropped  out  of  sight  their  accidental 
disagreements,  has  been  construed  into  a  want  of  courage. 
Mr.  Cookman  never  wasted  his  force  on  men  of  straw,  but  when 
real  giants  were  to  be  crushed,  he  had  the  power  to  do  it. 

In  keeping  with  the  vote  thus  given  was  the  sermon  he 
preached  in  his  own  church  about  the  same  period,  called  by 
one  his  "grand,  grand  anti-slavery  sermon,"  from  Isaiah  viii., 
12, 13.  As  might  be  expected,  some  of  his  nearest  friends  and 


220  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

principal  supporters  were  wounded,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  ex- 
press their  displeasure.  His  only  answer  to  all  such  was,  "  I 
can  afford  to  forgive  them."  Under  an  oppressive  sense  of  the 
responsibility  which  a  declaration  of  his  views  would  involve,  he 
had  made  the  sermon  on  his  knees.  He  delivered  it  with  the 
greatest  fearlessness,  and  at  the  same  time  with  an  evident  sin- 
cerity and  tenderness,  which  convinced  all  who  heard  him  that 
nothing  short  of  the  most  thorough  loyalty  to  the  great  Master 
animated  his  soul.  At  the  close  of  the  service  his  face  shone 
with  a  spiritual  light  that  showed  how  closely  he  had  communed 
with  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  how  triumphantly  the  Spirit  had  vin- 
dicated him  in  the  discharge  of  a  most  painful  duty. 

The  session  of  the  General  Conference  at  Buffalo,  New  York, 
in  May,  1860,  was  looked  forward  to  with  great  anxiety  by  all 
the  friends  of  the  Church.  It  proved  the  most  perilous  since 
that  of  1844.  Mr.  Cookman,  in  common  with  hundreds  of  min- 
isters and  laymen,  felt  he  must  see  the  body  and  witness  its 
proceedings.  Two  letters  afford  a  glimpse  into  his  feelings. 

To  his  wife : 

"  BUFFALO,  Thursday  evening. 

"  A  long,  long  ride  brought  us  to  this  western  city  about  noon  to-day. 
Although  tedious  and  tiresome,  still  I  greatly  enjoyed  it.  Wonderful  nat- 
ural scenery,  congenial  company,  with  an  unusual  degree  of  divine  com- 
munion, made  it  one  of  the  most  delightful  journeys  of  my  life.  The  details 
I  must  reserve  until  my  return  home.  We  are  quartered  at  the  Western 
Hotel,  a  neat,  quiet,  and  comfortable  house. 

"After  dinner  and  making  our  toilet,  we  concluded  to  take  the  half-past 
two  o'clock  train  for  Niagara  Falls.  Thither  we  proceeded,  to  find  the  dig- 
nitaries of  the  Church  reveling  amid  those  world-renowned  scenes.  I  met 
with  hosts  of  friends  from  the  North  and  South,  and  East  and  West,  who 
were  really  lavish  in  their  expressions  of  pleasure  at  meeting  me.  Our 
company  were  perfectly  charmed.  My  only  regret — and  sincerely  it  marred 
my  happiness — was  that  my  precious  Annie  could  not  unite  in  this  extraor- 
dinary treat.  My  soul  ought  to  have  been  filled  with  Niagara,  but  your 
absence  would  not  permit  this.  At  seven  o'clock  we  returned  to  Buffalo. 

"  Great  excitement  obtains  among  all  concerned  in  General  Conference 
proceedings.  To-morrow  it  is  expected  the  great  battle  will  commence. 


CONFLICT   OF   FEELING. — BROTHERLY   SYMPATHY.          221 

The  anti-slavery  column  stands  strong  and  united.    May  God  rule  and  over- 
rule !" 

To  his  wife : 

"  BUFFALO,  May  23, 1860. 

*  *  *  "  Sabbath  was  a  glorious  day.  Bishop  Ames  in  the  morning,  Bishop 
Simpson  in  the  afternoon,  and  Dr.  Porter  at  night ;  altogether  a  day  of  days. 
Monday  it  was  gloomy  and  rainy.  Yesterday  we  spent  at  Niagara.  Oh, 
what  a  glorious  visit  it  was  !  Part  of  the  time  I  was  with  Mr.  Guinness,  which 
contributed  not  a  little  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  day.  Particulars  must  be 
reserved  until  we  meet.  To-day  the  slavery  battle  began.  The  excitement 
is  intense.  Coombe  led  off,  followed  by  Moody  and  Norval  Wilson.  The 
Baltimoreans  were  here  in  large  numbers.  They  are  intensely  excited. 
The  general  rule  will  not  be  changed,  but  there  will  be  a  secession  on  the 
border.  I  judge  we  are  on  perilous  times,  but  the  Lord  reigneth.  If  I 
were  not  conscientious  before  God,  the  pressure  of  friends  might  move  me 
from  my  position,  but,  while  I  would  not  grieve  them,  I  must  and  will  cling 
to  truth  and  right.  My  spiritual  enjoyment  in  Buffalo  has  been  unusual. 
Love  fills  my  heart ;  love  for  God  and  for  all  around.  Oh,  I  feel  during 
every  succeeding  hour  that  I  am  at  peace  with  Heaven,  and  prepared,  if  it 
should  be  the  Master's  will,  to  quit  these  stormy  scenes  and  rest  with  angels 
and  the  glorified." 

We  have  before  seen  the  fatherly  interest  Mr.  Cookman  man- 
ifested when  his  youngest  brother  was  first  jneditating  the  min- 
istry, now  that  this  brother  was  fairly  engaged  in  the  direct  and 
indirect  duties  which  it  brought,  he  could  not  do  otherwise  than 
afford  him  all  possible  counsel  and  sympathy.  His  brother 
John  had  only  recently  become  a  pastor  at  New  Brunswick, 
New  Jersey,  and  was  to  visit  Philadelphia,  to  address  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association. 

To  the  Rev.  John  E.  Cookman : 

"PHILADELPHIA,  November  16, 1860. 

"  Perhaps  you  are  ready  to  chide  my  delay  in  replying  to  your  letter. 
The  reason  of  my  procrastination  was  that  the  information  you  desired  had 
to  be  sought,  and  could  not  be  had  until  after  a  meeting  of  the  managers  of 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  That  meeting  was  held  on 
Wednesday  evening,  when  it  was  resolved  to  postpone  the  anniversary  until 
the  evening  of  the  3d  of  December,  when  it  will  come  off  at  Concert  Hall. 


222  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Had  it  been  held  before,  some  one  of  the  churches  must  have  been  the 
place  selected.  A  very  general  and  earnest  wish  was  expressed  that  you 
might  be  one  of  the  speakers.  Dr.  Tyng  has  declined.  Mr.  Crowell  and 
Dr.  Newton  are  spoken  of  as  your  colleagues.  Respecting  a  theme,  I 
scarcely  know  what  to  say.  The  relation  of  Christian  young  men  to  the 
times,  or  the  responsibility  and  duties  in  the  present  crisis  of  our  national 
and  world's  history,  would,  I  think,  be  suitable. 

"  The  value  of  a  powerful  illustration  can  scarcely  be  estimated.  I  say 
this  as  an  offset  to  the  claim  you  set  up,  '  Pay  -what  thou  muest.'  I  could  do 
this  in  a  fortnight  of  sermons,  and,  retaining  '  the  figure?  be  decidedly  the 
gainer.  You  know,  however,  that  I  love  to  act  generously.  No  one  is 
more  interested  for  your  success  than  myself.  It  is  my  triumph  to  see  you 
triumph.  'Cookman'  is  the  name  which,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  I  desire 
to  float  aloft,  commanding  the  respect,  confidence,  and  affection  of  the  world. 
Family  pride  (I  trust  -it  is  sanctified)  has  a  wonderful  development  in  my 
experience.  My  beloved  brother,  never  do  any  thing  or  say  any  thing  that 
would  lower  that  name  one  iota  in  public  estimation.  If  we  desire  our  name 
to  remain  unimpeached  and  be  increasingly  honored,  then,  struggling  up 
above  the  infected  atmosphere  of  this  lower  world,  let  us  stand  in  the  clear, 
broad,  beautiful  sunlight  of  God's  immediate  presence.  Men  will  recognize 
us  as  Christ's ;  honor  our  principles ;  respect  our  character,  and  yield  to 
our  influence.  John,  take  my  advice,  and  be  satisfied  with  nothing  less  than 
a  heart  constantly  filled  with  God.  It  is  a  grand  idea  and  a  grander  expe- 
rience to  be  co-workers  with  God  ;  infinite  wisdom  and  illimitable  power 
enlisted  in  our  behalf.  It  helps  us  to  think,  to  study,  to  pray,  to  preach, 
and  to  labor ;  it  becomes  the  guarantee  of  inevitable  and  glorious  success. 
I  mean  all  I  write,  and  hope  that  you  will  immediately  put  this  matter  to 
an  experimental  test. 

"  But  to  the  illustration.  I  have  been  turning  it  over  in  my  thoughts,  and 
can  not  call  up  any  thing  that  I  think  could  be  rendered  more  effective 
than  Tennyson's  'Charge  of  the  Light  Brigade'  at  Balaklava.  I  inclose  a 
copy,  which  you  will  please  preserve,  and  return  when  you  have  done  with  it. 
Its  application  to  this  light  brigade  of  young  soldiers  for  Jesus,  charging 
upon  the  flanked  batteries  of  hell,  would,  I  think,  be  very  thrilling.  Forward 
the  light  brigade  ;  ring  the  changes  just  here. 

"  How  are  dear  mother  and  Mary  ?  We  have  many  inquiries  respecting 
their  welfare.  Will  you  not  all  come  to  spend  the  Christmas  holidays  in 
Philadelphia  ?  I  think  you  might  excuse  Mary  at  once,  and  allow  her  Phila- 
delphia friends  a  chance.  The  festival  at  Sansom  Street  Hall  passed  off 
splendidly.  Among  the  rest,  Mr.  Reese  Alsop  was  present.  He  scanned 


SPEECHES    IN   NEW   YORK.  223 

our  crowd  as  if  he  would  find  a  cherished  one.  Dr.  Kennaday  is  preaching 
this  week  at  Trinity.  No  special  interest  is  reported.  The  services  are 
held  in  the  lecture-room.  The  Tuesday-afternoon  meeting  is  largely  at- 
tended, and  I  think  increasingly  interesting.  The  children's  class  is  getting 
on  nicely  under  the  auspices  of  M W .  She  is  vindicating  the  wis- 
dom of  our  selection.  Take  good  care  of  yourself,  or  rather  commit  your- 
self, body,  soul,  and  all,  to  Christ,  and  let  Him  take  care  of  you." 

It  could  hardly  be  otherwise  than  that  Mr.  Cookman's  repu- 
tation should  attract  attention  in  New  York  City.  We  accord- 
ingly find  him  invited  thither  on  different  occasions  to  speak 
at  public  meetings,  and  to  represent  the  Philadelphia  churches. 
In  the  autumn  of  1860  he  spoke  at  the  anniversary  of  "  Five 
Points'  Mission/'  under  the  care  of  the  ladies  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  The  anniversary  was  held  at  the  Academy 
of  Music.  The  audience  was  very  large  and  enthusiastic.  "His 
address,"  said  a  gentleman  recently,  "  I  can  never  forget.  The 
three  principal  figures — the  child  and  the  Bible,  the  woman 
and  her  diamond  ring,  the  sinking  ship — are  as  vivid  as  if  I  had 
heard  them  only  yesterday."  A  visit  to  New  York,  in  company 
with  Mr.  George  H.  Stuart  and  other  prominent  Philadelphia 
gentlemen,  to  wait  on  a  delegation  of  Irish  Christians,  was  no- 
ticed by  him  in  the  following  pleasant  way  to  his  wife : 

"  METROPOLITAN  HOTEL,  NEW  YORK,  Friday  morning. 
"  How  very  gladly  do  I  seize  a  moment  this  morning  to  add  to  your  pleas- 
ure, for  I  am  sure  you  will  be  delighted  to  hear  from  your  itinerant  hus- 
band. In  company  with  Revs.  Westbrook,  Taylor,  Wylie,  and  other  gentle- 
men, I  enjoyed  exceedingly  the  journey  from  Philadelphia  to  New  York. 
Mr.  Taylor  and  I,  seated  side  by  side,  engaged  in  a  decidedly  religious  con- 
versation which  proved  a  very  feast  to  my  soul.  Indeed,  ever  since  my  de- 
parture, my  blessed  Father  has  kept  my  mind  in  perfect  peace.  I  very 
sweetly  realize  that  He  is  around  and  within  and  all  about  me.  Oh,  the 
unutterable  joy  of  uninterrupted  communion  with  God  !  Mr.  Stuart  was  at 
the  hotel  to  give  us  one  of  his  warm-hearted  welcomes.  After  some  ablu- 
tions, etc.,  we  proceeded  to  the  Cooper  Institute.  Owing  to  the  storm,  there 
was  no  crowd,  but  a  very  respectable  attendance— certainly  one  thousand 
people.  The  exercises  throughout  were  unusually  spirited  and  interesting. 


224  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  The  honored  representatives  of  Ireland  acquitted  themselves  very  cred- 
itably. Your  unworthy  husband  was  called  out.  I  said  what  was  in  my 
heart  at  the  moment,  and  was  kindly  received.  I  feel  it  such  a  privilege  to 
plead,  under  such  circumstances,  the  promise,  '  Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,' 
and  find  the  presence  of  my  Master  on  the  platform  as  in  the  pulpit.  About 
midnight  we  went  to  Mr.  Stuart's  room,  and  enjoyed  together  a  season  of 
prayer ;  after  which,  at  peace  with  God  and  men,  I  placed  my  head  on  the 
pillow,  and  was  soon  lost  in  the  oblivion  of  sweet  sleep.  This  morning  I 
am  very  well,  and  feel  my  heart  overflowing  with  love  to  God.  .  At  noon  I 
must  be  present  in  the  Fulton  Street  prayer-meeting.  My  friends  around 
are  very  polite  and  affectionate.  How  much  I  love,  and  how  grateful  I  feel 
for  Christian  companions.  How  are  my  darling  wife  and  precious  children 
this  morning  ?  I  need  not  tell  you  how  dear  you  all  are  to  me.  Many  kisses 
for  the  boys  and  little  sister.  Tell  them  that  pa  hopes  they  will  be  very 
obedient  to  ma,  and  very  kind  to  each  other." 

This  letter  suggests  a  marked  feature  in  the  character  and 
ministry  of  Mr.  Cookman  during  these  four  years,  which  has 
not  yet  been  as  distinctly  noticed  as  its  importance  and  the  full 
representation  of  his  career  require.  I  refer  to  his  position  as 
a  representative  man  before  the  evangelical  churches  of  Phila- 
delphia. While  there  never  was  a  more  pronounced  Methodist 
than  he,  I  doubt  if  there  ever  was  one  freer  from  bigotry.  He 
dwelt  in  a  high  serene  atmosphere  of  love,  whence  he  could 
look  down  and  see  all  the  bounds  and  fences  of  sectarianism  dis- 
solve in  the  unbroken  sweep  of  Christian  unity.  He  loved  all 
Christ's  followers,  and  was  ready  at  all  times  to  act  with  them 
in  those  undenominational  movements  which  contemplate  the 
glory  of  His  kingdom  in  the  salvation  of  men.  The  churches 
were  not  slow  to  perceive  his  mind  and  to  feel  the  kindle  of  his 
spirit ;  and  hence  both  for  his  piety  and  his  talents  he  became 
by  common  consent  the  leading  man  of  his  Methodist  brethren 
as  a  mover  in  those  stirring  days  of  revival  to  which  allusion 
has  already  been  made.  He  was  closely  identified  with  such 
men  as  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Newton,  Brainard,  Taylor,  Dudley 
Tyng,  Reuben  Jeffrey,  and  Mr.  George  H.  Stuart,  in  promoting 
the  general  work  of  religion.  A  young  man,  he  was  in  full 


MR.  GEORGE  H.  STUART  OF  PHILADELPHIA.       22$ 

sympathy  with  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  as  an  in- 
stitution providentially  raised  up  to  afford  not  only  a  beautiful 
expression  of  Christian  union,  but  also  a  common  ground  for  the 
most  effective  labors  of  all  believers  for  the  temporal  and  spir- 
t  itual  welfare  of  young  men.  He  and  other  pastors  were  glad 
to  labor  under  the  leadership  of  the  layman  whose  name  is  a 
synonym  for  pure  philanthropy  throughout  our  country.  The 
work  accomplished  in  those  early  days  of  the  Association  of 
Philadelphia  can  hardly  be  too  highly  estimated,  and  has  only 
been  paralleled  by  that  of  the  Christian  Commission  during 
the  late  civil  war. 

Mr.  Stuart  has  not  ceased  to  value  the  services  and  to  cherish 
the  memory  of  his  friend  Mr.  Cookman.  He  has  kindly  fur- 
nished to  the  Rev.  John  E.  Cookman  a  brief  estimate  of  his 
character  and  work  as  they  impressed  him  at  this  time  : 

"I  have  been  privileged  to  know  many  faithful  and  gifted  servants  of 
Christ,  and  to  know  them  a  second  time  in  the  perusal  of  their  biographies 
— Dr.  Murray,  of  Elizabeth  ;  Drs.  Edgar  and  Cooke,  of  Ireland  ;  and  Dr. 
Hamilton,  of  London,  among  them — but  I  can  say  that  a  more  fervent  and 
devoted  minister  of  the  Cross  than  Alfred  Cookman  I  never  knew.  In  him 
the  old  fire  that  burned  in  the  hearts  of  Whitefield  and  Summerfield  glowed 
with  all  the  fervor  of  the  first  and  Pentecostal  days  of  Methodism ;  and  no 
one  could  come  within  the  sphere  of  his  influence  without  feeling  that  he 
was  one  for  whom  to  live  was  Christ,  and  to  die  was  gain. 

"  Mr.  Cookman's  coming  to  this  city  was  not  long  previous  to  the  begin- 
ning of  the  great  revival  of  1857  and  1858.  Through  its  precious  scenes  of 
awakening,  of  conversion,  he  labored  with  all  the  fervor  of  his  nature  and 
of  grace.  When  I  recall  him  in  connection  with  that  time  of  revival,  his 
name  seems  voluntarily  to  associate  itself  with  that  of  the  eloquent  and 
devoted  young  servant  of  Christ,  the  sorely  lamented  Dudley  Tyng.  Mr. 
Cookman  preached  several  times  with  great  unction  and  power  in  the  Union 
Tabernacle,  which  was  moved  about  the  city  during  that  time.  A  single 
sermon'  of  his  on  the  prophet's  vision  of  the  valley  of  dry  bones  was  blessed 
to  the  conversion  of  several  persons,  one  of  whom  heard  him  as  she  stood 
without  the  tent. 

"  Never  shall  I  forget  a  '  noonday  prayer-meeting '  held  during  the  revival, 
at  which  your  brother  presided.  With  deep  feeling  he  asked  for  special 

K  2 


226  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

prayer  for  the  only  son  of  his  .father  who  remained  still  without  an  interest 
in  the  great  salvation.  You  may  judge  with  what  fervor  that  request  was 
responded  to.  A  few  days  later  word  came  that  the  prayer  had  been  heard 
and  answered,  and  that  George  Cookman  was  rejoicing  in  the  hope  of  the 
glory  of  God.  He  too  has  gone  to  the  upper  sanctuary ;  but  permit  me  to 
recall  the  fact  that  when,  by  age,  I  was  called  to  lay  down  the  office  of  Pres- 
ident of  our  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  its  duties  devolved  upon 
this  beloved  brother,  who  was  chosen  as  my  successor.  Very  precious  still 
to  me  is  the  memory  of  George  Cookman,  the  second  President  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 

"Alfred  Cookman  was  one  of  those  who  represented  to  the^mind  of  the 
Christian  public  the  brotherly  tmity  of  the  whole  Church  of  Christ  His 
large-hearted  catholicity,  and  his  unqualified  love  for  all  who  held  by  the 
Head,  were  what  gave  him  his  place  among  us.  On  any  public  occasion 
when  the  churches  of  Christ  were  called  on  to  unite  in  utterance  or  in  action, 
he  was  always  expected,  and  never  in  vain. 

"  How  faithful  he  was  to  all  the  interests  committed  to  him  inside  his  own 
denomination,  you  can  testify  of.  I  can  say  that  he  was  one  of  those  who 
made  us  feel  that  all  these  divisions  were  but  regiments  and  brigades  of  the 
one  great  army,  the  hosts  of  the  living  God. 

"  My  own  personal  relation  to  him  was  one  of  pleasure  and  of  profit  al- 
ways. He  was  a  brother  in  sympathy,  a  friend  in  help. 

"  When  a  sentence,*  at  which  our  Christian  world  has  not  ceased  to  won- 
der, cut  me  off  from  my  place  in  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  General  Synod, 
he  was  among  the  first  to  give  utterance  to  his  Christian  cenfidence  and 
sympathy,  in  a  letter  which  I  highly  prize  as  a  memento  of  our  Christian 
friendship." 

Here  also  are  words  of  the  same  import  to  Mr.  John  E. 
Cookman,  from  the  distinguished  and  venerated  Rev.  Richard 
Newton,  D.D.,  rector  of  the  Church  of  the  Epiphany,  Philadel- 
phia : 

"  No  argument  in  support  of  the  reality  and  truth  of  the  religion  of  the 
Gospel  is  worth  half  so  much  as  that  which  is  furnished  by  the  example  of 
one  so  blameless,  so  consistent,  so  holy  as  was  your  loved  and  lamented 
brother. 

*  Mr.  Stuart  was  suspended  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Pres- 
byterian Church  for  singing  such  hymns  as  "  Rock  of  Ages,"  and  communing 
with  Christians  like  Alfred  Cookman. 


TESTIMONY   OF    REV.  DR.  RICHARD   NEWTON.  227 

"  I  had  not  the  pleasure  of  an  intimate  personal  acquaintance  with  him.  But 
during  the  years  of  his  ministry  in  Philadelphia  we  often  met  together  in  va- 
rious union  services.  On  different  platforms,  where  those  who  love  the  cause 
of  Jesus  take  sweet  fellowship  together,  we  often  stood  side  by  side  in  striv- 
ing to  promote  the  honor  of  our  Master's  name  and  the  welfare  of  His  blood- 
bought  Church.  And  now  that  he  is  gone,  the  recollection  of  those  seasons 
is  very  dear  and  precious  to  me.  His  large-hearted  love  for  the  friends  of 
Jesus ;  the  singleness  of  his  aims  ;  the  earnestness  of  his  zeal ;  the  fervency 
of  his  spirit ;  the  untiring  devotion,  the  unction  and  power  that  appeared  in 
all  he  did  and  said,  were  the  points  about  him  that  always  most  strikingly 
impressed  those  who  came  in  contact  with  him.  These  were  the  broad  seals 
upon  his  character  that  stamped  him  as  one  of  God's  own  anointed  minis- 
ters, and  won  for  him  a  warm  place  in  the  hearts  of  all  to  whom  the  living 
image  of  Jesus  is  dearer  than  every  thing  else.  I  feel  that  it  was  a  privilege 
to  have  known  him  here  on  earth,  and  I  look  forward  with  kindling  hope  to 
the  higher  privilege  of  meeting  him  in  that  bright  world  to  which  he  has 
gone,  and  where  the  union  of  Christ's  people,  whom  he  so  loved  to  cultivate 
here,  will  be  perfected  forever. 

"  May  God  graciously  send  down  on  all  the  ministers  of  Jesus  still  on 
earth  a  double  portion  of  that  sweet  spirit  of  purity,  humility,  zeal,  and  char- 
ity, which  shone  so  brightly  and  so  beautifully  in  all  the  life  and  character 
of  your  lamented  brother." 

Mr.  Cookman  completed  his  term  at  Union  Church  in  the 
spring  of  1861.  His  pastorate  here,  though  not  marked  by  a 
general  and  continuous  revival,  was  nevertheless  eminently 
useful.  Mr.  Mason,  before  quoted  from,  says : 

"  His  Saturday-afternoon  meetings  were  a  grand  success.  All  the  Sun- 
day-school children  loved  him  very  much.  We  had  constant  accessions  to 
the  Church  in  small  numbers.  We  held  two  protracted  meetings  in  the 
body  of  the  church.  There  was  no  great  excitement,  but  many  were  con- 
verted and  added  to  the  Church,  and  some  remain  to  this  day.  During  one 
of  these  meetings  a  lady  boarding  at  the  Union  Hotel  said  to  some  friends, 
'  Let's  go  over  to  the  Methodist  meeting  and  have  some  fun.'  They  occu- 
pied the  fourth  pew  on  the  south  middle  aisle.  Before  the  fun  commenced, 
Alfred  asked  all  that  felt  they  were  sinners  to  stand  up,  and,  to  the  great 
amazement  of  her  friends,  Mrs.  C.  stood  up.  She  was  converted,  was  a 
useful  member  of  Union  Church  many  years,  and  removing  to  Camden,  New 
Jersey,  took  a  card  and  joined  the  Church  there,  where  she  lets  her  light 
shine  still. 


228  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"Alfred's  life,  his  character,  and  influence  in  the  city  was  all  for  good. 
He  was  one  of  the  purest  ministers  we  ever  had — the  true  minister  in  the 
market,  the  home,  and  in  the  house  of  God.  One  of  his  most  effective  ser- 
mons was  preached  on  the  steps  of  my  house — to  my  son,  Thomas  T.  Ma- 
son, Jr.,  who  was  just  leaving  for  the  army  of  the  Cumberland.  Taking  him 
by  the  hand,  he  said, '  Tom,  take  God  with  you,  and  all  will  be  well.'  After 
the  terrible  battle  of  Stone  River,  in  Tennessee,  my  son  was  taken  down  with 
typhoid  fever,  and  just  before  he  died  he  turned  to  his  comrade,  Thomas  C. 
Moore,  and  said, '  Tom,  I  am  taking  God  with  me.' " 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

REMOVAL  TO  NEW  YORK. — MINISTRY  AT  THE  CENTRAL  CHURCH. 
— PATRIOTISM   AND  THE  CIVIL  WAR. 

SUCH  was  the  influence  which  Mr.  Cookman  had  gained  at 
Philadelphia,  both  in  and  out  of  the  Methodist  Church,  that  it 
would  have  seemed  wise  to  retain  him  in  that  city.  There  came 
now  a  demand  for  his  removal  to  New  York.  His  fame  as  a 
preacher  had  become  so  wide-spread  as  to  cause  his  services  to 
be  in  request  in  many  places,  both  for  special  occasions  and 
for  the  pastorate.  There  is  an  ever-working  law  by  which  the 
grand  centre  of  finance,  trade,  population,  lays  its  claims  to  the 
intellectual  and  religious  power  of  the  whole  country,  and  makes 
it  tributary  to  its  importance.  The  Methodist  Church  is  no  ex- 
ception to  the  rule ;  and  it  could  not  be  expected  that  Mr. 
Cookman  would  be  an  exception  among  ministers.  The  fre- 
quent changes  of  the  itinerant  system  offer  facilities  of  transfer 
from  one  city  to  another  such  as  no  other  Church  possesses. 
He  had  been  four  years  in  Philadelphia,  and  he  must  make  a 
change — "  Why  not  go  to  New  York  ?"  The  application  of  the 
Central  Church  in  New  York  was  successful,  and  Mr.  Cookman 
was  accordingly  transferred  to  the  New  York  Conference  in 
May,  1861,  and  stationed  at  that  Church.  The  same  society, 
which  had  originally  worshiped  on  Vestry  Street,  had  secured 
the  services  of  the  father,  and  he  was  to  have  entered  upon  his 
duties  with  them  immediately  upon  his  return  from  Europe ; 
they  were  now  equally  fortunate  to  be  able  to  command  the 
son  in  their  new  and  more  commanding  position  on  Seventh 
Avenue. 

Some  letters,  written  while  he  was  in  process  of  transfer  and 


230  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

settlement,  are  indicative  of  the  mingled  sense  of  responsibility 
and  pleasure  with  which  he  contemplated  the  change. 
To  his  wife  : 

"  NEW  YORK,  Wednesday  morning,  May  8,  1861. 

"  I  am  just  now  in  receipt  of  your  affectionate  and  truly  welcome  letter. 
Your  allusions  to  the  precious  children  occasioned  a  feeling  of  homesickness. 
If  I  had  only  the  '  wishing-cap,'  oh,  how  soon  I  would  sit  down  in  the  midst 
of  my  little  family  group  !  I  trust,  however,  that  I  am  in  a  providential 
path,  for  I  try  in  all  my  ways  to  acknowledge  God,  and  I  think  He  is  di- 
recting my  steps.  You  ask  how  I  like  New  York.  My  answer  is — '  Very 
much.  Every  thing  here  is  alive  and  in  motion.'  The  people  are  much 
more  demonstrative  than  they  are  in  Philadelphia.  They  feel,  and  do  not 
hesitate  to  express  or  manifest  their  emotion.  Yesterday  afternoon  John 

and  I  enjoyed  a  most  charming  ride  in  a  carriage  belonging  to  Brother  S . 

He  kindly  proffered  it,  and  we  drove  about  for  two  or  three  hours.  It  af- 
forded us  the  opportunity  of  visiting  a  number  of  localities  we  have  been 
anxious  to  see.  I  spent  part  of  yesterday  in  the  celebrated  Dusseldorf  gal- 
lery of  paintings.  I  have  never  seen  any  that  would  compare  with  these. 

"  Last  evening  the  stewards  of  Central  called  at  Brother  S.'s.  They  were 
very  affectionate,  expressed  great  pleasure  in  the  prospect  of  my  appoint- 
ment, and  an  anxiety  to  have  me  settled  at  the  earliest  moment.  They  rep- 
resent their  parsonage  as  in  very  fine  order,  still  they  want  to  make  some 
improvements.  I  will  fill  my  pulpit  (May  iglh)  Sabbath  week,  and  after 
that  turn  my  face  toward  Lancaster  County,  so  that  we  may  get  here,  say 
Friday  of  that  week.  I  do  not  know  how  I  can  endure  absence  from  my 
loved  ones  so  long,  but  I  live  a  day  at  a  time,  and  try  to  keep  the  future  out 
of  my  thoughts.  This  afternoon  I  proceed  to  Poughkeepsie,  will  remain 
there  until  Saturday,  then  return  to  New  York,  and,  Providence  permitting, 
preach  to  the  soldiers  in  Union  Square  Sabbath  afternoon  at  three  o'clock. 
This  is  a  very  honorable  and  important  appointment.  You  must  not  fail  to 
pray  for  me.  I  had  hoped  to  enjoy  the  meeting  at  Sister  Lankford's  yester- 
day, but  was  prevented  from  getting  there." 

To  his  wife : 

"  NEW  YORK,  Thursday,  May,  1861. 

"  In  view  of  some  interesting  anniversaries,  I  did  not  proceed  to  Pough- 
keepsie yesterday,  as  I  originally  proposed.  This  afternoon,  however,  the 
Lord  willing,  I  shall  turn  my  face  toward  the  seat  of  the  Conference.  Noth- 
ing new  has  transpired  in  connection  with  my  appointment.  Yesterday  I 
spent  a  half  hour  in  the  church  itself.  I  was  all  alone — no,  not  alone,  for 


THE   NEW   YORK   CONFERENCE.  231 

God  was  with  me.  Kneeling  down,  I  asked  my  kind  Heavenly  Father  to 
come  with  me  to  my  new  field  of  labor,  and  make  the  ensuing  two  years  the 
best  years  of  my  life.  The  property  is  very  tasteful  and  comfortable  in  all 
its  arrangements  and  appliances.  Last  night  I  walked  the  streets  of  New 
York  in  company  with  Jesus.  Do  not  be  surprised.  This  was  a  precious 
realization,  and  my  heart  burned  within  me  as  I  communed  with  my  kind 
and  sympathizing  Redeemer.  It  was  one  of  the  evenings  of  my  life.  This 
morning  I  attend  the  anniversary  of  the  American  Bible  Society.  H.  B. 
Ridgaway  is  one  of  the  speakers.  *  *  *  How  are  you  all  this  bright  May 
morning  ?  Oh,  that  I  could  look  in  upon  your  sweet  familiar  faces." 

To  his  wife : 

"NEWARK,  N.  J.,  May  14,  1861. 

"  You  must  not  think  for  a  moment  that  you  are  forgotten.  Never  were 
you  dearer  to  my  heart  than  now ;  indeed,  I  am  sick  to  see  my  wife  and 
children.  The  days  drag  their  weary  length  along  until  I  sit  down  in  my 
domestic  circle  again.  Last  Thursday  afternoon,  in  company  with  my  friend 
Ridgaway,  I  started  for  Poughkeepsie,  the  seat  of  the  New  York  Conference. 
The  sail  up  the  Hudson  (seventy-five  miles)  was  magnificent.  The  half  had 
not  been  told  me.  It  must  be  seen  and  enjoyed  to  be  understood.  Oh, 
how  much  I  longed  for  your  presence  to  make  my  joy  complete  !  It  will  be 
a  delightful  trip  for  us  some  day  during  the  approaching  summer.  Pough- 
keepsie is  a  beautiful  city.  My  home  was  with  a  family  by  the  name  of  Van 

K ,  members  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church.    They  live  in  elegant  style, 

and  did  every  thing  possible  to  promote  our  comfort.  On  Friday  morning  I 
was  introduced  to  the  New  York  Conference,  a  body  of  nearly  three  hundred 
members,  fine-looking  and  intelligent.  They  were  very  cordial — came  for- 
ward and  assured  me  of  a  most  hearty  welcome.  John  is  on  the  spot,  solicit- 
ous respecting  his  reception  into  the  Conference,  of  which  there  is  some  little 
doubt.  The  doubt  grows  out  of  the  fact  that  the  Conference  is  already 
crowded  with  men,  and,  as  at  Philadelphia,  they  talk  of  postponing  the  re- 
ception of  young  men  until  next  spring.  Ridgaway  preached  on  Friday 
night  *  *  * 

"  Saturday  afternoon  I  returned  to  New  York ;  preached  at  Eighteenth 
Street  on  Sabbath  morning,  and  in  Union  Square  at  three  o'clock  P.  M. 
Had  large  audiences  and  great  freedom.  In  the  evening  I  crossed  the  East 
River  and  worshiped  in  Henry  Ward  Beecher's  Church.  It  was  a  great 
treat ;  a  wonderful  congregation,  splendid  singing,  superior  prayers,  and  a 
timely,  pointed,  practical,  and  popular  sermon  on  camp-life.  There  is  but 
one  such  man  in  this  world.  Instead  of  returning  to  Poughkeepsie  yester- 
day I  rambled  about  with  Ridgaway,  visiting  the  Book-room  and  office  of 


232  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

The  Methodist,  and  gazing  at  the  Great  Eastern,  which  arrived  on  Satur- 
day last.  In  the  afternoon  I  accompanied  him  to  Newark,  and  am  spend- 
ing a  few  hours  at  the  palatial  residence  of  my  friend  W .  It  is  only  a 

stern  sense  of  duty  which  detains  me  in  this  region,  for,  as  I  intimated  before, 
I  am  restless  to  see  my  dearly  beloved  family.  To-day  I  will  write  to  James 

W to  ship  my  goods.     Probably  they  will  reach  New  York  by  Saturday. 

I  will  have  them  stored  at  the  parsonage  ;  will  preach  on  Sabbath,  and,  if  at 
all  possible,  start  for  Columbia  either  Monday  or  Tuesday.  I  have  met 
quite  a  number  of  the  Seventh  Avenue  friends.  They  are  extremely  cordial, 
expressing  the  greatest  pleasure  in  the  prospect  of  my  appointment.  They 
strike  me  as  a  sincere,  warm-hearted  congregation,  with  whom  I  can  labor 
pleasantly  and  profitably.  The  S.'s  are  very  kind." 

These  letters  recall  very  vividly  to  my  mind  the  interview  to 
which  Mr.  Cookman  refers.  I  had  been  invited  to  make  one 
of  the  addresses  at  the  anniversary  of  the  American  Bible  So- 
ciety, and  I  remember  that  no  one  greeted  me  more  cordially  at 
the  close  of  the  exercises  than  our  friend.  We  planned — as  I 
wished  to  visit  the  New  York  Conference  then  in  session  at 
Poughkeepsie — to  go  up  the  Hudson  by  steam-boat  the  same 
afternoon.  Neither  of  us  had  seen  the  famous  river,  and  so  we 
anticipated  much.  It  was  our  good  luck  to  have  a  charming 
afternoon,  and  also  to  meet  on  board  the  Rev.  A.  K.  Sanford,  a 
member  of  the  Conference,  whose  familiarity  with  the  route 
greatly  heightened  our  pleasure.  It  was  one  of  those  delightful 
occasions  when  all  the  senses  were  open.  The  first  buds  of 
green  were  tinting  the  landscape,  lending  great  freshness  to 
scenes  which  otherwise  would  have  been  remarkable  only  for 
fidelity  and  boldness  of  outline.  Mr.  Cookman,  with  that  keen 
perception  of  the  beautiful  for  which  he  was  so  remarkable, 
seemed  quite  ravished  with  the  ever-shifting  views,  which  in 
their  rapid  succession  kept  alive  a  perpetual  feeling  of  surprise 
and  admiration.  At  the  Conference  he  was,  as  a  transferred 
man,  the  object  of  interest,  and  a  desire  was  generally  expressed 
to  hear  him  preach  ;  but,  with  instinctive  modesty,  he  waived  the 
request,  and  sent  the  committee  for  his  unsuspecting  companion. 


CHARACTER   OF   THE    CENTRAL   CHURCH,  NEW    YORK.      233 

Just  so  soon  as  Mr.  Cookman  got  settled  in  his  new  home, 
which  had  been  put  in  order  for  his  family,  he  began  to  unfold 
those  methods  of  usefulness  in  the  observance  of  which  he  had 
been  every  where  successful.  He  now  found  himself  placed  in 
a  comparatively  untried  field.  He  was  but  one  of  hundreds 
of  pastors  of  first-rate  ability  brought  to  the  great  centre  from 
all  parts  of  the  country.  The  congregations  of  the  Central 
Church  were  devout,  refined,  and  intelligent,  but  not  large  and 
overflowing,  such  as  he  had  been  accustomed  to.  They  thus 
lacked  an  important  element  of  effective  oratory  in  a  popular 
preacher,  and  also  the  conditions  so  necessary  to  the  extensive 
revivals  which  had  so  often  attended  his  ministrations. 

Mr.  Cookman  speedily  adapted  himself  to  the  altered  circum- 
stances, went  quietly  to  work,  and,  in  the  absence  of  all  parade, 
addressed  himself  to  the  proper  vocation  of  a  faithful  pastor. 
His  diligence,  zest,  and  wisdom  soon  began  to  be  manifest  in 
the  growth  of  the  congregation,  in  the  deepening  piety  of  the 
members,  and  in  the  general  and  harmonious  advancement  of 
all  the  institutions  of  the  charge.  The  Sunday-school  instantly 
felt  his  magical  touch,  and  the  young  men  came  around  him  as 
if  drawn  by  an  irresistible  spell ;  the  whole  people  were  warm- 
ed into  an  intenser  glow  by  his  benignant  spirit. 

The  following  letter  to  his  wife,  touching  the  prospective  re- 
moval into  the  new  home,  will  be  appreciated  by  all  Methodist 
ministers  and  their  families.  One  must  go  and  another  come ; 
the  parsonage  must  be  refitted  for  the  incoming  family.  It  is 
a  hard  time  for  sick  children  and  invalid  wives ;  but  the  wheels 
roll  on,  and  around  must  go  wives  and  children  with  the  wheels. 
The  Methodist  Church  is  a  militant  Church,  and  not  only  the 
ministers,  but  their  families,  must  be  regarded  as  part  of  the 
army,  and  must  feel  it  no  hardship  to  be  always  ready  at  the 
appointed  signal  to  break  camp  and  march.  The  reference  in 
this  letter  to  the  preacher's  class  suggests  one  of  Mr.  Cook- 
man's  strongest  points.  No  man  ever  possessed  greater  facility 


234  LIFE    OF  ALFRED    COOKMAN. 

in  the  difficult  and  useful  exercise  of  class-leading.  The  class 
of  six  soon  grew  to  be  a  room  full,  and  became  a  rallying 
ground  in  the  work  of  the  station. 

To  his  wife : 

"  NEW  YORK,  Friday  morning,  May,  1861. 

"  I  am  in  the  midst  of  a  vast  population,  and  surrounded  by  many  kind 
friends ;  nevertheless,  I  suffer  a  sense  of  isolation.  My  precious  family  are 
absent,  and  none  can  serve  as  their  substitutes.  Were  it  not  for  the  pres- 
ence of  my  blessed  Saviour,  which  has  been  a  delightful  and  continued  real- 
ization, I  could  scarcely  have  borne  the  deprivation  I  have  been  suffering. 
My  Heavenly  Father  has  been  specially  gracious  to  me  within  the  last  week 
or  two ;  accompanying  me  in  my  walks,  visiting  me  in  my  night  seasons, 
strengthening  and  blessing  me  in  the  society  of  friends,  keeping  my  mind  in 
perfect  peace.  Yesterday  afternoon  I  entered  on  the  duties  of  my  pastorate 
by  leading  the  preacher's  class.  It  was  very  small,  only  six  being  present ; 
among  the  rest  my  hostess,  Mrs.  Skidmore.  I  cast  myself  on  Christ,  and 
enjoyed  the  service  very  much.  After  the  class,  I  visited  in  company  with 
Mrs.  S.  the  parsonage.  Rev.  Mr.  Hare  kindly  conducted  me  through  the 
house.  It  is  a  very  comfortable  establishment.  I  think  you  will  like  it 
quite  as  well  as  any  of  your  former  homes.  A  detailed  description  I  will 
reserve  until  we  meet.  The  former  pastor,  Brother  Hare,  will  not  get  out 
till  next  Monday.  Then  the  trustees  will  commence  vigorously  the  work 
of  repair  and  improvement.  They  will  paper  some  of  the  rooms,  and  paint 
the  house  throughout.  This  can  not  be  finished  next  week.  Hence  I  pro- 
pose to  get  my  pulpit  supplied  for  the  following  Sabbath  (the  26th  of  May), 
and  bring  on  my  family  the  latter  part  of  the  next  week.  I  am  so  thorough- 
ly homesick  that  I  can  not  readily  consent  to  remain  here  another  week. 
My  goods  will  probably  arrive  to-morrow ;  but,  as  Brother  Hare  will  not 
take  up  his  bed  and  walk  before  next  Monday,  I  may  have  to  remain  until 
Tuesday,  that  I  may  superintend  the  transfer  of  my  boxes  to  our  new  home. 
In  that  case  I  will  not  see  you  before  Tuesday  evening  or  Wednesday  next. 

"  John  left  this  morning  for  Lennox,  his  appointment.  He  is  in  good  spir- 
its, and  thinks  he  will  be  pleased.  We  shall  hear  more  on  his  return  next 
week.  This  evening  is  the  occasion  of  our  regular  weekly  prayer-meeting. 
I  am  looking  forward  to  it  with  considerable  interest.  On  Sabbath  I  expect 
to  preach  morning  and  evening.  This  is  a  prospective  trial,  but  I  shall  look 
to  and  depend  upon  Him  who  has  said, '  I  will  never  leave  thee — no  !  I  will 
never  forsake  thee.'  Pray  for  me.  If  I  should  complete  my  arrangements 
we  will  spend  the  following  Sabbath  together  quietly  in  Columbia.  This  will 
be  for  me  a  great  treat  after  the  excitement  of  the  last  fortnight." 


OUTBREAK   OF   THE    REBELLION.  235 

The  first  year  of  the  pastorate  at  Central  passed  usefully  and 
pleasantly,  affording  every  indication  that  the  new  minister  had 
taken  a  strong  hold  upon  the  affections  of  his  people.  It  was 
the  year  of  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion  ;  and,  perhaps,  one  of 
the  most  trying  periods  for  all  the  ordinary  methods  of  minis- 
terial work  which  the  American  Church  has  known.  It  was  a 
time  when  the  pruning-hook  was  beaten  into  the  spear,  and  the 
plowshare  into  the  sword.  The  war  spirit  had  possessed  the 
populations ;  the  great  masses  had  risen  as  one  man  for  the 
vindication  and  safety  of  the  Union  ;  and  from  one  end  of  the 
land  to  the  other  the  strange  noise  of  drum  and  fife  called  the 
young  men  to  arms,  and  the  highways  and  streets  were  thronged 
with  troops  marching  southward  for  battle.  New  York  was  in 
a  ferment  of  excitement — her  streets  were  drill-grounds,  her 
public  squares  barracks,  her  Sabbaths  fallen  under  the  stern 
exigency  of  preparation  for  instant  conflict. 

Amid  such  scenes  it  was  no  wonder  if  the  congregations  of 
the  churches  were  decimated,  and  the  spirit  of  religious  revival 
repressed.  After  the  first  blaze  of  patriotic  fire  had  spent  it- 
self, and  the  people  had  become  used  to  matter-of-fact  war — 
found  themselves  humbled  with  disappointment,  and  settled 
down  to  the  hard  tug  of  persistent  efforts — there  came  a  reac- 
tion in  the  religious  feeling,  and  an  increased  attendance  of  the 
multitudes  upon  public  worship.  Through  this  season  of  dis- 
couragement Mr.  Cookman,  like  other  faithful  ministers,  stood 
his  ground,  worked  how,  where,  and  when  he  could.  We  have 
seen  that  even  before  his  settlement  in  New  York  he  preached 
to  the  soldiers  at  Union  Square.  It  was  a  stirring  sermon,  full 
of  patriotism,  but,  if  possible,  fuller  of  Christ.  That  service  was 
but  the  first  of  many  that  followed  —  sermons  and  speeches 
which  helped  to  keep  alive  in  the  country  both  faith  in  God  and 
faith  in  the  Republic. 

In  New  York  as  in  Philadelphia  we  hear  of  him  at  the  Union 
prayer-meetings.  He  who  had  borne  such  an  active  part  in 


236  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

the  one  city  could  not  remain  idle  in  the  other.  At  the  anni- 
versary of  the  Fulton  Street  prayer-meeting  he  was  heard  to 
utter  these  clear  and  ringing  words : 

"  It  may  not  be  uninteresting  or  inappropriate  for  me  to  state 
that  while  I  lived  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  I  had  the  honor 
to  be  the  pastor  of  the  Church  which  stands  upon  the  site  of 
the  '  Old  Academy,'  as  it  was  designated,  the  favorite  preach- 
ing-place of  the  illustrious  Whitefield. 

"In  the  lecture-room  of  that  Church  was  organized  the  first 
noonday  prayer-meeting  for  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  It  was 
commenced  by  a  young  man  who  had  resided  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  and  who  had  frequently  availed  himself  of  the  priv- 
ileges of  this  Fulton  Street  noonday  service.  After  his  re- 
moval to  Philadelphia,  he  felt  that  a  similar  meeting  would  be 
profitable  in  his  own  experience  and  for  the  community  at  large, 
and  was  resolved  to  assume  the  responsibilky  of  its  establish- 
ment. It  is  but  proper  to  say  that,  in  the  first  instance,  the 
effort  was  feeble  and  unpromising ;  and  many  times  have  I 
passed  by  the  door  of  that  lecture-room,  and,  glancing  in  when 
I  ought  to  have  gone  in,  observed  three  or  four  prostrate  be- 
fore God,  importuning  an  outpouring  of  divine  influence  upon 
themselves  and  upon  others.  Those  prayers,  however,  were  ef- 
fectual ;  they  reached  the  ear,  and  they  influenced  the  heart  of 
an  almighty  Saviour;  and  before  long  the  number  attending  the 
service  in  that  lecture-room  was  very  considerably  increased. 
It  was  then  resolved  to  remove  to  Jayne's  Hall,  of  which  doubt- 
less you  have  all  heard  quite  frequently;  and  after  the  removal 
to  Jayne's  Hall  the  interest  so  rapidly  extended  that  before  the 
lapse  of  a  week  four  thousand  persons  might  have  been  seen 
associated  together  for  the  purpose  of  public  prayer. 

"  If  these  humble  efforts  were  followed  by  such  special  re- 
sults in  that  case,  what  may  we  not  hope  for  after  the  patient  and 
the  persistent  prayers  that  have  been  going  up  from  this  Fulton 
Street  meeting,  and  from  similar  services,  during  a  succession 


THE    FULTON    STREET   PRAYER-MEETING.  237 

of  years  ?  I  have  the  impression  that  when  these  terrible  prov- 
idences which  are  associated  with  our  present  war  shall  have 
mellowed  the  great  national  heart,  the  results  of  these  prayers 
will  appear  in  a  mighty  and  unprecedented  Pentecostal  baptism, 
when  there  shall  not  be  four  thousand  or  forty  thousand  only, 
but  millions  prostrate  beneath  the  mighty  power  of  God.  And 
oh !  in  the  prospect  of  such  an  outpouring,  may  we  not  to  day 
linger  in  the  midst  of  our  great  country,  desolated  not  only  by 
civil  but  spiritual  rebellion,  covered  all  over  with  moral  death, 
and  may  we  not  imitate  the  example  of  the  prophet,  as  with  the 
voice  of  one  man,  and  pray, '  Come,  come  from  the  four  winds, 

0  breath !  and  breathe  upon  these  souls  that  they  may  live  ?' 

"  As  an  encouragement  to  prayer  for  individuals,  will  you 
excuse  me  if  I  introduce  a  passage  from  personal  experience  ? 

1  was  the  eldest  of  six  children,  five  sons  and  one  daughter. 
The  mysterious  hand  of  God's  providence  buried  my  precious 
father  while  I  was  still  young  in  yon  broad,  deep  ocean.     My 
widowed  mother — for  whom  I  will  even  in  this  public  way  praise 
the  Father  of  the  fatherless — was  greatly  concerned,  of  course, 
for  the  salvation  of  all  her  children.     Her  prayers,  which  were 
importunate  and  constant,  were  heard  in  heaven,  and  soon  they 
began  to  be  answered,  as  one  after  the  other  of  her  sons  was 
brought  into  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.    Four  years 
ago  we  were,  as  I  trust,  a  united  family  in  Christ,  with  one  ex- 
ception, and  that  exception  was  a  beloved  brother,  a  noble,  af- 
fectionate young  man,  twenty-seven  years  of  age.    He  had  been 
my  associate  during  life ;  we  had  played  together  as  boys ;  we 
had  slept  in  the  same  bed;  we  had  attended  the  academy  to- 
gether ;  we  had  bowed  at  the  same  maternal  knee,  and  had 
joined  in  repeating  the  petition,  'Our  Father  which  art  in 
heaven.' 

"  I  can  not  tell  this  audience  how  I  agonized  for  the  salvation 
of  that  brother,  and  how  anxious  I  was  that  we  might  be  a 
united  family  in  the  Saviour  in  time,  and  then  an  undivided 


238  LIFE   OF   ALFRED    COOKMAN. 

household  in  paradise.  Morning,  noon,  and  night  I  brought 
this  interest  to  a  throne  of  heavenly  grace ;  and  one  day  I  rose 
in  the  Philadelphia  noon  prayer-meeting  and  asked  them  to 
pray  for  that  brother.  Oh,  how  they  prayed !  I  shall  never 
forget  their  interest  and  earnestness,  and  if  I  am  so  happy  as  to 
reach  the  glory-land,  I  think  I  shall  find  out  some  of  those 
Christians,  and  will  thank  them  for  their  united  and  importu- 
nate prayers  upon  the  occasion  of  that  noonday  service.  Only 
a  short  time  elapsed  when  that  brother,  who  was  unaware  that 
united  prayer  had  been  offered  in  his  behalf,  was  found  prostrate 
penitently  before  God,  and  became  a  subject  of  regenerating 
grace.  He  joined  the  Church,  and  has  subsequently  come  to  be 
one  of  the  most  earnest,  consistent  young  Christians  I  ever  knew. 
"  Before  I  sit  down,  allow  me  to  speak  of  a  circumstance 
which  transpired  in  the  neighborhood  of  Boston.  A  few  years 
since  two  gentlemen  entered  a  car  in  that  city  en  route  for  the 
interior,  and,  seated  side  by  side,  they  very  naturally  fell  into 
conversation,  when  it  transpired  that  they  were  both  traveling  to 
the  same  place,  and  soon,  to  their  mutual  surprise,  they  discov- 
ered that  they  bore  the  same  name.  Then  they  ascertained  that 
they  were  both  going  to  see  an  elder  brother,  one  whom  they  had 
not  met  for  many,  many  years ;  and  then  the  almost  overpower- 
ing truth  burst  upon  them  that  they  were  literal,  natural  broth- 
ers, who  in  the  providence  of  God  had  met  in  this  most  extraor- 
dinary way.  They  had  been  separated  from  early  childhood, 
and  now,  after  the  lapse  of  thirty  long  years,  they  had  been 
most  surprisingly  brought  together.  As  I  have  been  sitting 
here  and  listening  to  allusions  about  heaven,  I  have  said  in  my 
heart,  'That  is  my  place  of  destination,  and  I  hope,  through 
grace,  to  stand  triumphantly  upon  Caanan's  shining  shore.' 
And  then,  as  you  have  used  the  term  Christian,  I  have  said  in- 
wardly, 'That  is  pre-eminently  my  name.'  I  am  a  Methodist 
Christian.  I  do  not  attach  a  very  great  deal  of  importance  to 
the  Methodist,  but  I  would  place  very  strong  emphasis  upon 


SING-SING   CAMP-MEETING.  239 

the  designation  Christian.    Just  as  my  name  is  Alfred  Cookman. 
I  care  not  for  the  Alfred ;  I  would  just  as  soon  it  was  George 
or  Joseph  or  John,  but  I  cling  tenaciously  to  my  family  name. 
As  you  have  made  very  touching  and  beautiful  reference  to 
Jesus,  I  can  say  he  is  my  elder  brother,  and  I  hope  after  a 
while  to  be  associated  with  him  in  heaven.     It  is  a  delightful 
truth  that  we  are  associated  to-day,  brothers  and  sisters  in  Christ 
Jesus,  hastening  onward  as  rapidly  as  time  can  bear  us, 
" '  To  the  house  of  our  Father  above, 
The  palace  of  angels  and  God.'  " 

It  could  not  have  been  otherwise  than  that  Mr.  Cookman 
would  early  make  the  acquaintance  of  the  famous  Sing-Sing 
camp-ground.  To  a  beautiful  grove,  lying  back  of  the  village, 
many  of  the  Methodists  of  New  York  and  vicinity  had  long 
been  accustomed  to  resort  for  their  annual  religious  festival. 
Before  the  days  of  railroads,  by  sailing-vessel  and  steam-boat, 
thither  the  city  folks  made  their  way,  and  the  farmers  drove  in 
from  the  adjacent  country,  that  on  this  time-honored  spot  they 
might  worship  God.  Whether  this  zealous  friend  of  camp-meet- 
ings reported  himself  the  first  year  of  his  residence  in  New  York 
does  not  appear,  but  the  second  year  he  was  there,  mingling 
amid  its  devotions,  enjoying  its  Christian  fellowship,  and  preach- 
ing with  his  usual  power  and  acceptability.  Mrs.  Cookman 
had  gone  with  the  children  to  spend  the  hot  weather  at  the 
family  retreat,  her  father's  home  in  Columbia,  Pennsylvania. 

To  his  wife  : 

"NEW  YORK,  Saturday,  August  30,  1862. 

"  Home  from  camp-meeting,  tired  enough.  Went  to  bed  this  morning 
at  one  o'clock ;  at  two  disturbed  by  singing  in  the  adjoining  tent ;  at  five, 
or  even  before,  dressed  myself  and  prepared  for  the  homeward  march.  We 
have  had  a  glorious  week.  Oh !  I  can  never,  never  forget  it.  The  camp 
has  been  only  outside  of  heaven  itself.  Weather  favorable.  Friends  atten- 
tive and  affectionate.  Meetings  powerful  and  blessed.  Arriving  on  the 
ground  in  time  for  afternoon  preaching,  heard  a  sermon  from  a  Brother  Lit- 
tlewood  on  'Enduring  hardship  as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ;'  in  the 


240  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

evening,  a  Brother  Bates  on  the  'Conversion  of  St.  Paul.'  On  Wednesday 
morning  Dr.  True  preached  about  Moses.  In  the  afternoon  an  old  veteran 
of  the  Troy  Cfpference  discoursed  on  the  subject  of  '  Holiness ; '  in  the 
evening  Brother  D.  Buck  on  '  Mercy  and  righteousness  have  met  together,' 
etc.  Thursday,  Dr.  Wentworth  preached  in  his  usual  effective  camp-meet- 
ing style  on  'Christ  crucified;'  in  the  afternoon  Brother  Newman  on  '  Holi- 
ness'—  an  excellent  sermon.  In  the  evening  Rev.  H.  Cox,  of  St  Louis, 
occupied  the  time  in  presenting  his  cause  and  taking  a  collection.  Fri- 
day, Brother  Pegg  preached  in  the  morning  on  'This  treasure  in  earthen 
vessels ;'  in  the  afternoon  Brother  Fox,  of  Forty-third  Street,  on  '  I  have  a 
baptism  to  be  baptized  with,  and  I  am  straitened  until  it  is  accomplished ;' 
and  in  the  evening  your  poor  unworthy  husband  on  '  Redeeming  the  time.' 

"  Oh,  how  much  oppressed  I  felt  in  view  of  my  fearful  responsibility !  But, 
glory  to  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  divine  strength  was  made  perfect 
in  my  great  weakness,  and  I  think  that  never  have  I  preached  so  much  in 
demonstration  of  the  Spirit.  Sinners  were  smitten  on  the  right  hand  and 
on  the  left.  The  altar  and  tents  were  occupied  with  penitents  and  praying 
Christians  ;  many  souls  were  converted.  One  gentleman  of  forty  years  of 
age  was  awakened  and  converted  while  I  preached.  Not  unto  me,  not  unto 
me,  but  unto  my  blessed,  blessed  Saviour  shall  be  all  the  praise  and  glory, 
now  and  forever  more. 

"  My  own  soul  has  been  greatly  refreshed  and  strengthened  through  the 
rich  privileges  I  have  been  enjoying.  I  trust  that  I  am  more  powerful  to 
do  for  Christ  than  I  have  been.  Glory  to  the  Lamb ! 

"  Mrs.  S and  Mrs.  D occupied  the  same  tent.  They  had  one  of 

the  sweetest  camp-meeting  homes  you  ever  saw.  They  were  more  than 
kind  to  me.  There  was  nothing  I  needed  that  they  did  not  immediately 
and  cheerfully  provide  for  me.  How  strange  that  I,  one  of*  the  least  of 
God's  servants,  should  be  the  recipient  of  so  many  Christian  attentions 

and  kindnesses.  As  Mrs.  S suggested  in  the  cars  this  morning,  we 

shall  have  something  to  talk  about  all  the  autumn  approaching.  She  is 
better,  I  think,  in  health ;  and  in  her  experience  is  bright  and  happy  be- 
yond precedent.  Would  you  believe  it,  she  almost  avows  herself  now  an 
abolitionist.  When  prayer  was  offered  for  the  emancipation  of  the  slaves, 
she  would  ring  out  her  hearty  '  Amen  !'  Glory  to  God  !  So  much  for  the 
power  of  holiness. 

"Arriving  home  this  morning,  I  found  your  sweet,  wife-like  letters,  which, 
you  may  be  sure,  I  seized  upon  and  devoured  immediately.  How  glad  I 
am  that  the  well  ones  continue  as  usual,  and  the  sick  ones  are  no  worse. 
The  tidings  respecting  Bruner  are  decidedly  encouraging.  May  God  have 


LETTERS   TO    HIS   CHILDREN.  241 

you  all  in  His  care  and  keeping !  I  feel  so  much  confidence  in  my  Heav- 
enly Father  as  to  be  persuaded  that  he  will  do  exactly  right." 

The  delight  which  Mr.  Cookman  found  in  his  family  is  man- 
ifest in  all  his  letters.  Those  who  knew  him  most  intimately 
will  recall  that  he  never  seemed  so  perfectly  happy  as  when  in 
the  bosom  of  his  home.  The  letters  which  he  wrote  his  chil- 
dren when  absent  on  their  summer  vacations  were  full  of  sweet- 
ness. They  did  not  lack  good  advice ;  but  were  rather  char- 
acterized for  parental  tenderness  and  familiarity.  He  could  be 
a  child  among  his  children.  Up  to  this  time  there  had  been 
no  alloy  in  his  domestic  bliss — the  children,  his  wife,  and  him- 
self had  been  favored  with  uninterrupted  health  ;  but  now  it 
pleased  God  to  allow  sickness  to  enter  the  circle.  His  eldest 
son  and  first-born,  Bruner,  was  affected  with  a  painful  disease, 
which  finally,  after  some  years  of  suspense,  terminated  his  life. 
A  few  letters  of  this  date  happily  illustrate  the  feelings  which 
animated  his  soul  under  the  checkered  dispensations  of  Provi- 
dence. Happy  in  the  sunshine,  he  was  not  despondent  in  the 
shade.  The  first  touches  of  sorrow  were  borne  with  resigna- 
tion, and  served  but  to  mellow  his  rapidly  growing  experience. 

To  his  children : 

"NEW  YORK,  June  21, 1862. 

"  This  is  Saturday  night,  when  pa,  you  know,  usually  studies  his  sermons. 
Bruner  is  asleep,  Will  is  asleep,  little  Beck  Evans  is  asleep,  ma  is  getting 
ready  for  bed,  and  I  am  writing  a  letter  to  my  dear  George  and  precious 
Frank  and  sweet  little  sister  Puss.  Well,  how  have  you  been  getting  along 
this  week  ?  I  hope  you  have  been  very  good,  making  as  little  noise  as  pos- 
sible ;  obeying  all  that  aunt  B or  grandma  has  said,  remembering  your 

prayers  every  night  and  morning,  asking  your  blessing,  and  behaving  well 
at  the  table,  and  acting  like  little  New  York  gentlemen.  On  Tuesday  I 
watched  you  waving  your  hats  and  handkerchiefs  and  flags  until  I  could  see 
you  no  longer ;  then  I  sat  down  until  I  reached  Lancaster.  There  I  waited 
an  hour,  and  took  another  train  of  cars,  and  got  to  Philadelphia  in  time  for 
tea,  stayed  at  uncle  George's  all  night,  and  the  next  day  started  for  New  York. 

"  When  I  got  home  little  Prince  danced  for  joy,  he  was  so  glad  to  see 
me.  Then  I  started  for  Nyack,  where  I  found  ma  and  Brune  and  Will  and 
little  baby  sister.  They  were  almost  as  much  delighted  as  Prince,  and 

L 


242  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

asked  me  a  hundred  questions  about  George  and  Frank  and  sister.  I  told 
ma  you  were  magnificerit  boys ;  that  Frank  did  not  cry ;  that  sister  was 
growing  to  be  a  large  and  lovely  girl.  We  talk  about  you  every  day,  and 
want  the  weeks  to  go  by  right  fast  until  we  shall  all  sit  down  together  in  Co- 
lumbia. Thursday  afternoon  we  returned  from  Mr.  T.'s.  Yesterday  ma 
and  Brune  had  a  long,  pleasant  ride  in  Mr.  R.'s  carriage.  Brune  drove 
nearly  all  the  way.  To-day  ma  and  Brune  and  Will  and  Betty  and  the 

baby  went  with  Mr.  P to  the  Central  Park,  and  heard  the  music.     It 

was  splendid ! 

"  Now  I  must  close  my  letter.  On  Monday  we  have  our  Sabbath-school 
excursion.  Next  week,  perhaps,  I  will  write  and  tell  you  all  about  it.  Be 
very  good  boys.  We  send  kisses.  George  must  kiss  Frank  and  Sis  for 
me ;  Frank  must  kiss  George  and  Sis  for  ma ;  Sis  must  kiss  George  and 
Frank  for  Brune.  Do  not  forget.  Good-night." 

To  his  daughter  Annie,  when  a  young  child : 

"Mv  DEAR,  DARLING  LITTLE  Puss, — This  is  yoiir  letter,  written  by  your 
precious  papa.  Every  day  he  thinks  about  you,  and  wants  the  time  to  come 
when  he  may  take  you  in  his  arms  again.  If  you  were  here  to-night  he 
would  not  be  satisfied  with  one  less  than  a  dozen  kisses.  Your  dear  broth- 
er Bruner  has  been  very  sick.  He  often  talks  about  his  little  pet  sister  in 
Columbia.  You  ought  to  see  his  dog.  The  dog's  name  is  Prince — a  hap- 
py little  fellow  that  barks  at  Willie,  and  plays  with  Frank,  and  jumps  up  on 
George,  and  follows  Brune  wherever  he  goes.  I  know  he  would  love  you 
dearly;  he  could  not  help  it.  Every  body  loves  my  little  darling  Puss,  but 
nobody  better  than  her  devoted  pa.  Be  a  very  good  girl ;  learn  to  jump 

rope ;  help  grandma  to  water  the  flowers ;  mind  every  thing  aunt  B 

says  to  you ;  kiss  Mozie  and  little  Alfred  for  me ;  don't  eat  all  the  currants 
and  gooseberries  before  I  come,  but  keep  ever  so  many  for  your  dear 
pa.  Would  you  not  like  me  to  send  you  a  pretty  picture-book  ?  Keep  a 
look-out,  and  some  of  these  days  Kate  will  find  one  in  the  post-office  for 
Miss  Annie  Cookman,  Won't  that  be  nice  ?  Now  give  me  a  good-bye 
kiss." 

To  his  children : 

"  NEW  YORK,  June  24, 1862. 

"Mv  DEAR  GEORGE  AND  FRANK  AND  LITTLE  SISTER, — We  received 
George's  letter  this  afternoon,  and  were  glad  to  know  that  you  are  all  well 
and  enjoying  yourselves.  Be  very  good  children,  and  in  a  few  weeks  you 
will  sec  your  dear  ma  and  Bruner  and  Willie  and  the  baby.  Did  I  not 
promise  to  tell  you  about  the  Sunday-school  excursion  ?  Well,  yesterday 


THE   SUNDAY-SCHOOL   PICNIC.  243 

morning  we  rose  early,  got  ready,  and  went  down  to  the  wharf,  where  we 
found  a  large  number  of  the  boys  and  girls,  with  their  parents  and  teachers. 
At  about  eight  o'clock  we  started,  and  sailed  down  the  bay.  It  was  a  beau- 
tiful morning,  the  sun  was  shining  brightly,  the  air  was  cool,  the  boat  was 
large  and  comfortable.  Bruney,  Willie,  baby,  Betty,  Julia,  and  mamma, 
with  the  little  carriage,  were  all  on  board.  Brune  ate  cakes  and  drank  min- 
eral water.  About  eleven  o'clock  we  got  to  Biddle's  Grove,  on  Staten  Isl- 
and. This  was  a  beautiful  place,  with  swings  and  tables  and  a  great  many 
nice  things.  We  had  an  excellent  dinner,  some  charming  walks,  a  game  of 
ball,  and  then  we  started  for  home,  where  we  arrived  in  the  evening  about 
seven  o'clock.  It  was  one  of  the  happiest  days  I  ever  spent  Now  I  have 
bad  news  to  tell  you.  Little  Prince  is  dead.  He  died  to-day.  Instead  of 
getting  better,  as  we  hoped,  he  got  worse,  until  he  could  not  walk  or  stand, 
and  then  the  poor  little  fellow  died.  Bruner  sat  down  and  took  a  good  cry. 
Some  persons  think  he  was  so  pretty  that  he  ought  to  be  stuffed,  like  those 
animals  you  saw  at  Barnum's  Museum.  But  this  is  not  worth  while.  He 
will  either  be  buried  or  thrown  into  the  river.  Your  little  brother  Willie 
told  me  this  afternoon  he  was  going  to  take  '  me  da — da  in  the  'team-boat.' 
When  he  takes  me,  I  reckon  we  will  go  to  Columbia.  Now  remember  to 
be  very  good  ;  say  no  bad  words  ;  go  with  no  bad  boys  ;  be  kind  to  grand- 
ma and  grandpa ;  obey  all  aunt  B says,  and  do  not  get  sick  or  hurt 

yourselves. 

"  Now  I  must  give  you  a  good-night  kiss — one  for  George,  one  for  Frank, 
and  one  for  dear  little  sister  Puss.  Ma  says  I  must  send  ever  so  many  for 
her,  and  Bruney  for  him,  and  Willie  for  him." 

To  his  wife : 

"  HOME,  Tuesday  night,  Seventh  Avenue. 

"  I  have  just  returned  from  meeting.  The  rain  of  course  influenced  our 
numbers,  and  yet  I  was  gratified  to  see  so  many  present  There  were  four 
at  the  altar.  One  or  two  of  those  who  presented  themselves  as  penitents 
last  evening  have  since  then  experienced  peace.  With  a  single  exception, 
we  had  every  unconverted  person  in  our  congregation  to-night  forward  for 
prayers.  Personally,  I  have  had  a  rather  desolate  day.  When  you  are 
here  it  is  home  ;  when  you  are  away  it  is  a  house.  After  bidding  you  good- 
bye, I  returned  through  the  fog  to  our  noisy  city,  drew  some  funds,  paid 
for  my  last  barrel  of  potatoes,  bought  sister  a  locket,  which  I  afterward 
filled  with  likenesses  of '  Ma  and  Pa,'  purchased  Brune  and  Frank  books, 
and  returned  home.  The  children  were  in  the  best  of  spirits,  and  delighted 
with  their  presents.  After  dinner  a  letter  came  from  Columbia,  acquainting 
us  with  the  improving  condition  of  mother.  Had  this  letter  reached  the 


244  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

parsonage  before  nine  o'clock  this  morning,  you  would  at  least  have  been 
tempted  to  postpone  your  visit.  About  three  o'clock  the  children  had  their 
anticipated  party.  I  honored  them  with  my  presence.  It  was  a  gala  time. 
After  taking  a  glass  of  lemonade  and  enjoying  a  little  chat,  I  went  over  to 
the  Tuesday-afternoon  meeting.  It  was  not  very  large,  but  exceedingly 
profitable.  Returned  home,  and  had  tea  and  prayer  with  the  children. 
Mary  devotes  herself  to  them ;  she  is  very  successful  in  interesting  and  en- 
tertaining them.  Pa  is  unusually  tender  and  affectionate.  All  his  sympa- 
thies seem  drawn  out  for  the  little  darlings,  usually  so  dependent  upon  their 
mother.  The  fact  is,  I  am  almost  entirely  at  their  mercy  just  now.  They 
can  do  with  me  almost  as  they  please,  sister  especially." 

To  his  wife : 

"  SEVENTH  AVENUE,  NEW  YORK,  Thursday  eve,  1862. 
"Another  day  is  waning.  With  us  it  has  been  decidedly  wintry.  The 
ground  is  covered  with  snow,  though  the  prospect  now  is  that  rain  will  soon 
dissolve  this,  leaving  us  a  delightful  condition  of  things  in  our  streets.  Nine 
faithful  ones  braved  the  storm,  that  they  might  enjoy  together  the  afternoon 
meeting.  It  was  a  time  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  Your 
dear  little  pets  have  been  behaving  themselves  beautifully  all  day.  This 
morning  they  turned  their  attention  to  the  art  of  photographing.  The  magic 
lantern  was  the  camera,  Bruner  the  operator,  and  every  body  about  the  house 
patrons.  I,  of  course,  had  my  likeness  taken.  It  was  not  flattering.  They 
are  all  pretty  well.  George  complains  of  headache  this  morning,  and  of 
course  was  permitted  to  remain  at  home.  This  suited  Frank  perfectly. 
Sister  is  very  affectionate  and  good.  Will  steadily  increases  in  sweetness. 
If  you  could  have  seen  him  this  afternoon  after  he  was  dressed,  you  would 
have  covered  his  fat  little  cheeks  with  kisses.  They  are  very,  very  dear 
children.  I  have  returned  from  our  evening  meeting.  Owing  to  the  storm, 
which  is  very  violent  to-night,  the  number  present  was  small.  The  service, 
however,  was  decidedly  profitable.  We  have  your  telegram,  but  no  letter 
as  yet ;  perhaps  to-morrow  will  bring  this  coveted  treasure.  We  talk  a 
great  deal  about  you,  and  think  more.  Twelve  years  of  married  life  have 
made  you  a  part  of  myself,  which  must  be  near,  or  I  feel  bereft  and  incom- 
plete. I  think  I  love  God  more  for  the  gift  of  my  faithful  and  devoted  wife. 
Next  to  Mis  Son,  the  blessed  Christ,  this  is  my  greatest  mercy.  This  is 
such  letter-writing  as  used  to  characterize  our  honey-moon — but  is  it  not  hon- 
ey-moon still,  only  the  moon  has  been  steadily  increasing  in  magnitude  and 
glory.  The  children  are  most  probably  kissing  you  in  their  dreams.  Give 
Becky  Evans  (the  babe)  an  extra  kiss." 


SICKNESS   OF    HIS   SON   BRUNER.  245 

To  his  brother,  Mr.  George  Cookman,  of  Philadelphia : 

"  NEW  YORK,  Tuesday  afternoon. 

"  In  accordance  with  your  suggestion,  I  have  just  written  the  long-prom- 
ised letter  to  J C .  I  trust  that  it  may  comfort  and  profit  him  in 

the  midst  of  his  protracted  affliction.  The  illness  of  our  precious  Brunei- 
has  so  engrossed  my  time  and  thoughts  and  feelings,  that  friendly  corre- 
spondence has  been  almost  entirely  out  of  the  question.  Since  our  return 
to  New  York  he  has  been  steadily  declining.  He  is  now  confined  to  his 
room,  and  spends  a  good  part  of  his  time  in  a  reclining  posture,  propped  up 
with  pillows.  The  action  of  his  heart  evidently  gets  worse  and  worse.  This 
produces  a  violent  cough,  which  is  terribly  racking  to  his  system,  and  an 
exceedingly  delicate  stomach,  which  refuses  almost  every  thing.  Most  of 
the  time  he  is  the  victim  of  nausea.  All  this,  with  a  swollen  state  of  his 
system  and  frequent  spells  of  oppression,  will  give  you  some  idea  of  the 
sufferings  of  this  precious  boy.  Oh  !  it  is  hard  thus  to  see  him  suffer.  Al- 
though my  dearly  beloved  son,  our  first-born,  and  the  object  of  cherished 
hopes  in  connection  with  the  future,  yet  I  could  consent  to  close  his  eyes  in 
death,  if  he  might  escape  all  that  suffocation  and  weakness  and  pain  which 
now  seem  to  make  his  life  a  burden  to  himself.  Our  sympathies  are  terribly 
tasked.  \Ve  want  to  do  something,  and  suffer  under  a  sense  of  our  inability. 
It  is  the  trial  of  my  life.  Still,  my  dear  George,  I  will  not  murmur.  My 
kind  Heavenly  Father  can  not  err  or  be  unkind.  If  He  slay  me  or  mine, 
still  I  will  trust  in  Him.  You  will  be  rejoiced  to  know  that  the  grace  of 
God  is  so  supporting  during  the  season  of  sorrow.  To  lose  Bruner  is  like 
taking  away  a  part  of  my  heart,  but,  oh !  Christ  has  had,  does  have,  and 
shall  have  all — all  for  time  and  eternity.  My  precious  wife  bears  up  better 
than  you  could  expect.  Like  myself,  she  is  in  the  furnace,  but  sweetly  re- 
alizes the  presence  of  the  faithful  Jesus." 

To  his  sister-in-law,  Miss  Rebecca  Bruner : 

"  NEW  YORK,  September  17,  1862. 

"  Annie  is  so  much  engrossed  with  the  duties  of  a  sick-room  that  I  have 
consented  to  undertake  the  department  of  correspondence.  You  will  regret 
to  learn  that  Bruner  is  manifestly  declining.  Ever  since  his  return  to  New 
York  he  has  been  steadily  running  down.  Arriving  on  Friday  afternoon, 
the  following  Sabbath  found  him  considerably  swollen,  which  is  regarded  as 
a  most  discouraging  symptom  of  his  disease.  This  swelling  not  only  con- 
tinues, but  seems  gradually  to  increase.  This  is  occasioned  by  the  feeble 
circulation,  as  we  judge  from  the  fact  that  his  extremities  have  to  be  fre- 
quently and  violently  rubbed.  The  action  of  his  heart  is  evidently  worse. 


246  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

A  little  distance  from  his  body  you  can  hear  an  audible  sound.  His  heart 
pressing  upon  his  lungs,  he  suffers  with  a  racking  and  distressing  cough — 
pressing  also  upon  his  stomach,  he  is  the  subject  of  almost  constant  nausea. 
All  medicine  and  even  the  plainest  food  seem  to  disagree  with  him.  As- 
sociate all  these  symptoms  with  frequent  spells  of  oppression,  when  he  re- 
ally lives  with  great  effort,  and  you  have  some  idea  of  the  condition  and  suf- 
ferings of  this  precious  boy.  The  doctor  said  to  me  yesterday  afternoon 
that  he  thought  we  would  have  to  make  up  our  minds  to  lose  our  cherished 
son.  It  is  a  trial — a  terrible  trial — the  trial  of  our  life,  for  Bruner  is  not  only 
our  first-born,  the  object  of  cherished  hopes  in  connection  with  the  future, 
but,  as  you  know,  a  boy  of  principle  and  integrity ;  his  influence  with  his  lit- 
tle brothers  has  been  most  wholesome.  I  feel  as  if  Providence  was  about 
to  transfer  a  part  of  my  heart  to  heaven,  and  yet  I  must  not  murmur.  It  is 
my  Heavenly  Father  ;  let  Him  do  as  seemeth  Him  good.  Annie,  of  course, 
is  carrying  a  heavy  burden.  She  was  proud  of  Bruner,  and  you  are  aware 
of  his  special  love  for  her.  At  the  present  he  can  scarcely  bear  her  out  of 
his  sight.  The  prospect  and  probability  of  losing  him  stirs  all  the  depths 
of  her  sensitive  and  affectionate  heart.  God  is  gracious  to  her.  I  think  she 
is  leaning  more  heavily  than  ever  before  on  the  Almighty  arm. 

"  Little  Rebecca  Evans  changes  very  much  from  time  to  time — now  better 
and  then  not  so  well — but  on  the  whole  is,  I  think,  gradually  improving.  The 
other  children  are  very  well  and  exceedingly  good.  George  and  Frank  go 
regularly  to  school.  Sister  and  Will  play  very  nicely  together.  George  is  very 
tender  and  affectionate  with  Bruner.  He  sits  at  his  side,  and  seems  to  be 
full  of  interest  and  sympathy.  Your  little  pet  talks  often  about  aunt  Beckie. 
You  are  a  queen  in  her  heart.  How  long  Bruner  will  last  we  can  not  tell. 
If  he  runs  down  as  rapidly  in  the  future  as  he  has  during  the  last  ten  days, 
he  will  soon  be  at  rest.  Pray  for  us,  and  write  as  often  as  you  can." 

The  following  letter  to  Mr.  Thomas  W.  Price,  of  Philadelphia, 
on  the  loss  of  an  infant  child,  named  for  Mrs.  Cookman,  evinces 
the  facility  and  heartiness  with  which  Mr.  Cookman  could  enter 
into  the  feelings  of  his  friends.  No  wonder  such  a  nature 
should  have  touched  depths  and  drawn  to  it  affections  which 
lie  quite  unmoved  by  ordinary  men  : 

"  COLUMBIA,  August  5, 1862. 

"Glancing  through  the  columns  of  yesterday's  Inquirer,  my  eye  fell  on  a 
notice  of  the  death  of  your  dear  little  Annie  Cookman.  It  shocked  us  not 
a  little,  for  when  we  last  saw  her  she  was  the  very  picture  of  health.  How 


EARTH   STRANGE — HEAVEN   HOME-LIKE.  247 

often  is  it  the  case  that  our  cherished  ones,  whose  promise  for  long  life  is 
the  most  flattering,  are  the  first  to  be  smitten  by  death's  relentless  hand ! 

"  You  will  believe  me  when  I  assure  you  that  this  bereavement  has  awak- 
ened in  our  hearts  the  liveliest  sympathy  and  sorrow. 

"  We  recognized  in  this  little  namesake  a  living  and  breathing  bond,  to 
bind  even  more  closely  that  special  affection  which  subsists  between  our 
families.  We  remember  the  interest  and  love  with  which  you  regarded  this 
last-born,  we  are  reminded  of  the  unusual  sweetness  and  loveliness  of  the 
babe  herself,  and  then  feel  that  you  have  sustained  a  sad  loss.  Another 
breach  is  occasioned  in  your  affections. 

"  In  circumstances  like  these,  how  consolatory  are  the  truths  of  our  holy 
religion.  The  unseen  hand  of  God's  providence  has  taken  from  your  family 
nest  this  little  immortal,  and,  lifting  her  up,  constituted  her  an  angel  in  the 
paradise  above.  Thus  the  attractiveness  of  heaven  is  increased.  As  we 
pass  on  in  life,  meeting  such  afflictions,  earth  becomes  more  and  more  a 
strange  land,  while  heaven  wears  more  and  more  of  a  home-like  aspect. 
Associated  with  the  little  brother  who  some  years  since  was  wrested  from 
your  parental  embrace,  the  two  now,  as  I  doubt  not,  stand  on  '  the  shining 
shore'  to  welcome  the  family  into  everlasting  habitations. 

"  When  you  sing  in  the  future  that  line  of  the  long-metre  doxology,  viz., 
'  Praise  Him  above,  ye  heavenly  host,'  it  will  possess  a  deeper  meaning, 
awaken  more  tender  feelings,  and  enkindle  more  heavenly  aspirations. 

"  So  far  as  I  am  aware,  this  is  the  first  Annie  Cookman  that  has  entered 
those  realms  of  light;  and  if  spirits  can  know  one  another,  then  I  am  sure 
her  name  in  that  world  will  immediately  introduce  her  to  the  fellowship  of 
some  dearly  beloved  ones  who  have  gone  before. 

"  God  bless  you  abundantly,  my  cherished  brother  and  sister.  My  heart 
has  always  been  full  of  love  for  you  both,  and  now  in  your  affliction  I  want 
to  say  something  or  do  something  that  may  lighten  the  burden  which  this 
bereavement  has  laid  upon  your  tender  and  deeply  affectionate  hearts.  May 
I  not  pray  that  our  covenant-keeping  God  will  sanctify  this  dispensation  to 
your  good,  vouchsafe  you  special  consolation  and  grace,  and  make  you  event- 
ually an  undivided  family  in  the  skies  ?  I  would  have  been  at  the  funeral 
but  for  the  illness  of  our  babe.  For  about  ten  days  she  has  been  hovering 
between  life  and  death.  Her  condition  is  still  very  critical.  I  shall  not  be 
astonished  if  these  precious  children  (little  Annie  and  Rebecca),  of  about  the 
same  age,  should  both  be  in  a  better  world  about  the  same  time." 

One  of  Mr.  Cookman's  first  steps  on  coming  to  New  York 
was  to  find  his  way  to  the  meetings  for  the  promotion  of  holi- 
ness held  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Palmer,  on  Rivington  Street. 


248  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

He  was  in  close  sympathy  with  their  specific  aim,  and  became 
during  his  ministry  in  New  York  not  only  a  receiver  of  great 
good  through  their  agency,  but  also  a  contributor  to  their  use- 
fulness. His  presence  was  regarded  with  great  respect  and  joy 
by  the  large  class  of  thoughtful,  earnest,  and  devout  persons 
who  frequented  the  place.  His  words  were  uniformly  discrimi- 
nating and  weighty — directly  to  the  point  and  full  of  unction ; 
and  were  perhaps  as  efficacious  in  nourishing  the  life  of  holi- 
ness as  the  words  of  many  who  were  more  advanced  in  years. 

The  following  remarks,  made  at  these  meetings  some  time  in 
the  year  1862,  and  taken  from  his  lips  at  the  time  by  a  friend, 
are  valuable  as  examples  of  his  brief  testimonies : 

"  Brother  Elliott  said  last  Tuesday  that  while  we  were  not 
bowed  in  prayer,  yet  prayers  all  the  time  were  going  up !  Do 
we  pray  without  ceasing  ?  Do  we  talk  with  Jesus  ?  I  have  been 
thinking  so  much  of  that  exceeding  great  privilege  to  walk  and 
talk  with  Jesus.  As  I  pass  along  the  noisy  thoroughfares  of 
this  busy  city,  I  feel  that  Jesus  is  near.  I  remember  to  have 
spent  a  few  hours  with  Dr.  Olin,  whose  portrait  hangs  yonder, 
having  been  his  companion  when  I  was  a  youth  in  a  little 
journey  he  made  in  the  vicinity  of  Washington  City.  I  wanted 
to  be  silent,  and  drink  in  every  word  he  uttered.  I  remember 
now  that  I  have  intercourse  and  association  with  a  greater  than 
Dr.  Olin.  I  am  so  glad  to  be  a  friend  of  Christ's :  '  Ye  are  my 
friends  if  ye  do  whatsoever  I  command  you,'  comes  to  my  mind 
very  sweetly.  Within  the  last  few  weeks  a  sentiment  of  Luther's 
has  been  very  present,  in  which  he  speaks  of  the  first  great  step, 
the  second,  and  the  third,  in  a  life  of  piety,  being  humility.  I 
have  been  able  to  say  for  years,  I  am  saved  through  the  BLOOD 
<T/"JESUS  CHRIST.  I  have  no  doubt  of  my  personal  purity,  but 
I  want  to  be  filled  with  the  Spirit.  I  am  hungering  and  thirst- 
ing after  righteousness,  and  God  is  filling  me.  I  have  been  too 
anxious  for  all  the  fullness  at  once;  now  I  am  willing  to  be  filled 
by  little  and  little,  as  God  may  determine.  I  am  climbing  up. 


THE    RIVINGTON    STREET   MEETING.  249 

I  don't  leave  my  present  stand-point,  but  I  am  climbing  up,  and 
wish  to  do  so  forever  and  ever. 

"  I  do  realize  that  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  does  cleanse  me 
from  all  sin.  There  are  two  little  sentiments  which  have  been 
the  subjects  of  frequent  and  delightful  thought.  One  is  'WHITER 
THAN  SNOW.'  Wonderful  that  I,  so  low  and  so  unworthy,  should 
have  this  present  personal  experience — that  CHRIST'S  BLOOD 
should  MAKE  ME  whiter  'than  snow.'  The  other  sentiment  is 
'  LIFE  HID  WITH  CHRIST.'  Christ  takes  me  into  His  bosom — 
Jesus  wraps  me  up,  envelops  me  in  Himself.  I  want  my  words, 
actions,  and  all  to  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit.  I  want  to 
avoid  any  action  or  word  which  may  not  be  in  harmony  with 
the  will  of  God.  My  self-examination  leads  me,  in  the  midst 
of  infirmities  and  deficiencies,  to  declare  that  I  have  the  sense 
and  witness  of  heart-purity.  How  can  this  be  ?  It  is  all  through 
Christ.  I  am  made  pure  through  the  infinite  atonement  of  the 
Lamb  of  God.  Pray  for  me ;  it  is  the  especial  desire  of  my 
heart  that  I  may  be  filled  with  God — be  faithful,  devoted,  and 
ready  for  every  good  work." 

The  spirit  breathed  in  these  expressions  was  the  spirit  in 
which  the  devout  pastor  lived  all  the  while.  His  conversation 
was  in  heaven.  Meeting  him  one  day  on  the  street,  near  his 
own  house,  he  said,  "  I  want  to  go  to  heaven  ;  I  would  like  to 
be  off  if  it  were  God's  will ;  not  that  I  am  tired  of  life,  or  do 
not  feel  I  have  much  to  live  for,  but,  oh,  to  be  with  Jesus  is 
much  more  desirable  !"  Again,  walking  Broadway  with  him  on 
one  occasion,  he  put  his  arm  around  me  and  drew  me  affec- 
tionately to  him,  and  said,  "Oh,  brother  Henry,  I  wish  you 
could  see  your  way  clear  to  come  out  decidedly  on  this  great 
subject  of  perfect  love,  not  only  to  enter  into  it,  but  to  profess  it 
— remember  your  sermon  on  'spiritual  discernment:'  as  in  re- 
generation, so  in  entire  sanctification,  it  is  only  when  we  have 
experienced  the  blessing  that  we  can  discern  its  nature." 

One  cold  afternoon  in  November  we  left  the  old  Book  Con- 

L  2 


250  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

cern,  Mulberry  Street,  together,  and,  reaching  Broadway,  we  in- 
tended to  get  into  omnibuses,  as  it  was  snowing  violently — 
he  into  one  which  turned  off  toward  Seventh  Avenue,  and  I 
into  one  which  ran  up  Fourth  Avenue.  The  omnibuses  were 
crowded.  He  suggested  that  we  walk  on.  We  did  so,  and  soon 
we  became  so  absorbed  in  conversation  as  to  forget  the  stages 
and  the  snow.  When  we  arrived  at  the  parting-point  we  both  ex- 
pressed surprise.  The  delight  of  conversation  had  subdued  the 
cold  and  the  distance.  "Thus  it  is,"  he  quickly  said,  "when  we 
walk  and  talk  with  Jesus.  It  smoothes  all  the  severities  of  life." 
Before  following  Mr.  Cookman  to  his  next  charge,  I  must 
present  an  example  of  the  patriotic  speeches  which  he  deliv- 
ered, and  also  of  the  firm  and  advanced  opinions  which  he  ex- 
pressed on  national  affairs,  in  the  great  crisis  of  the  country. 
In  the  summer  of  1862,  while  on  a  visit  with  his  family  at  Co- 
lumbia, an  immense  war  meeting  was  held  at  Lancaster,  and  he 
was  one  of  the  speakers.  I  quote  from  a  report  of  it  which 
appeared  in  one  of  the  daily  papers : 

"  FELLOW-CITIZENS  :  This  is  to  me  a  somewhat  unexpected  call,  but  I 
should  feel  myself  recreant  to  every  great  principle  of  patriotism  and  of  truth 
if  I  refused  or  even  hesitated  in  this  my  native  county,  for  it  may  not  be 
known  to  many  of  you  that  I  first  opened  my  eyes  upon  God's  world  within 
the  limits  of  old  Lancaster ;  it  gave  me  a  being,  and  it  gave  me  one  of  the 
best  of  wives,  so  that  I  feel  under  immense  obligations  to  it.  [Cheers.]  I 
say  that  I  should  feel  myself  recreant  to  every  principle  of  truth  and  right 
if  I  hesitated  to  seize  this  opportunity  to  say,  in  the  language  of  old  John 
Adams,  '  Sink  or  swim,  live  or  die,  survive  or  perish,  I  give  my  heart  and 
my  hand '  to  these  Union  measures.  It  is  my  living  sentiment,  and  with 
the  blessing  of  God  it  will  be  my  dying  sentiment — liberty  and  the  Union 
now,  liberty  and  the  Union  forever.  [Great  applause.] 

"  It  is  useless  for  any  of  us  to  disguise  the  fact — the  stern  and  startling  fact 
— that  this  Union,  which  is  so  unutterably  dear  to  our  hearts,  is  at  the  pres- 
ent time  in  imminent  peril.  Thousands,  yea,  hundreds  of  thousands  of  our 
fellow-citizens,  organized  and  armed,  are  intent  upon  the  overthrow  of  this, 
I  dare  to  say,  the  very  best  Government  that  yonder  sun  ever  looked  down 
upon ;  a  Government  which  ought  to  be  just  as  dear  to  them  as  to  our- 


WAR   SPEECH   AT   LANCASTER,  PENNSYLVANIA.  251 

selves  ;  a  Government  with  which  our  own  hopes  and  the  hopes  of  our  chil- 
dren and  children's  children  are  intimately  bound  up  to  the  very  latest  gen- 
eration ;  a  Government  closely  connected,  as  we  think,  with  the  cause  of 
liberty  throughout  the  world,  for  if  our  experiment  of  self-government  should 
prove  a  failure,  we  are  satisfied  that  it  must  put  back  the  hand  of  freedom 
on  the  dial-plate  of  time  at  least  fifty  or  one  hundred  years  ;  a  Government 
which,  so  far  as  we  may  judge,  is  one  of  Jehovah's  right  hands  of  power  for 
the  overthrow  of  despotism,  error,  ignorance,  and  every  thing  which  could 
hinder  the  coming  of  His  kingdom.  Thousands  and  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  our  fellow-citizens,  with  worse  than  vandal-like  violence,  are  rushing  for- 
ward to  destroy  the  superstructure  of  that  Government.  Now  the  practical 
inquiry  occurs,  What  is  to  be  done  ?  The  answer,  it  appears  to  me,  is  an 
easy  one. 

"  My  fellow-citizens,  what  would  you  do  if  to-night  at  twelve  o'clock  you 
were  to  find  an  assassin  in  your  bed-chamber,  fully  resolved  upon  your  life  ? 
I  make  no  question  but  that  you  would  spring  from  your  slumbers  and 
grapple  with  him,  and  not  even  hesitate  to  put  him  to  death  in  order  to  save 
your  own  life.  Parent,  what  would  you  do  if  a  rebellion  were  to  arise  in 
your  domestic  circle  ?  Would  you  not  stretch  forward  the  hand  of  author- 
ity and  quickly  quell  it  ?  Citizens  of  Lancaster,  what  would  you  do  if  an 
infamous  mob  should  rise  up  in  these  streets  to  destroy  valuable  property 
and  imperil  precious  life  ?  I  make  no  doubt  that  you  would  take  down  the 
muskets  and  rifles  still  remaining  among  you,  and  with  the  point  of  the  bay- 
onet or  with  the  use  of  ammunition  drive  back  and  put  down  such  a  mob. 
And  you  would  do  right.  Self-protection  would  demand  such  a  course. 
And  in  this  case  it  is  a  stern  duty.  As  Luther  remarked  on  one  occasion, 
'  May  God  help  us,  we  can  not  do  otherwise.'  That  flag  yonder  must  float ; 
our  Government  must  be  maintained.  [Cheers.]  Our  Union  must  be  pre- 
served and  perpetuated  in  all  its  purity  and  integrity.  [Cheers.]  Millions 
may  be  spent,  hundreds  of  thousands  of  lives  may  be  sacrificed,  a  whole 
generation  may  be  blotted  out,  and  still  we  insist  that  it  is  of  the  very  first 
consequence  that  our  nationality  be  vindicated.  ['Good,'  and  cheers.] 
Now  I  apprehend  that  it  is  with  this  great  principle  in  view  we  are  assem- 
bled and  associated  this  afternoon. 

"  A  remark  of  Colonel  Forney's  brought  to  my  mind  a  circumstance  which 
transpired  many  years  ago.  It  is  said  that  in  a  military  engagement  which 
occurred  somewhere  near  the  boundary-line  which  separates  England  and 
Scotland,  a  young  chieftain  fell  just  at  the  moment  when,  at  the  head  of  his 
troop,  he  was  furiously  and  successfully  charging  the  foe.  His  comrades  in 
arms,  seeing  him  fall,  were  immediately  seized  with  consternation,  and  be- 


252  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

gan  to  retire  in  confusion.  Witnessing  this,  his  soul  immediately  filled  with 
sorrow,  and,  although  he  was  feeble,  he  managed  with  some  effort  to  raise 
himself  upon  his  elbow,  and  while  the  life-blood  was  fast  gushing  from  the 
gaping  wound,  while  eternity  was  opening  before  him,  he  seized  his  sword, 
and,  waving  it  over  his  head,  shouted  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  '  My  boys,  I 
am  not  dead  !  I  am  not  dead,  but  I  am  looking  to  see  that  every  man  docs 
his  duty.'  [Cheers.]  So  I  am  here  this  afternoon  to  say  that  our  Union 
is  not  dead.  She  has  been  wounded,  foully  and  fearfully  wounded ;  and, 
observe,  too,  in  the  house  of  her  friends.  Still  she  is  not  dead.  Hear  it, 
you  daughters  and  sons  of  Lancaster,  she  is  not  dead — never  dead ;  but, 
sword  in  hand,  she  is  looking  to  see  that  every  citizen  does  his  duty.  [Great 
applause.]  She  is  looking  to  ascertain  whether,  in  this  time  of  exigency,  we 
will  rally  to  the  rescue ;  whether  in  this,  the  darkest  hour  of  the  Republic, 
we  will  come  up  united  to  the  help  of  freedom  and  the  help  of  God.  For, 
remember,  this  is  the  cause  of  truth  ;  this  is  the  cause  of  justice  ;  this  is  the 
cause  of  freedom  ;  this  is  the  cause  of  the  Union  ;  this  is  the  cause  of  God. 
[Cheers.]  I  insist  that  God  is  always  on  the  side  of  truth  and  justice  and 
freedom.  Will  you  not,  then — will  you  not — will  not  all  these  young  men 
and  citizens,  esteem  it  at  once  an  obligation  and  a  privilege  and  a  joy  to 
consecrate  their  energies,  their  substance,  their  time,  their  lives,  and  their 
all  upon  the  altar  of  our  country's  cause  ?  [Cheers.] 

"Allusion  has  been  made  to  the  patriot  daughters  of  Lancaster.  God 
bless  them  !  I  see  them  in  these  windows  and  assembled  in  the  vicinity  of 
this  stand.  God  bless  them  !  Mothers,  wives,  daughters,  sisters  collected 
here,  we  have  some  faint  idea  of  the  sacrifices  you  are  called  upon  to  make, 
and  of  the  sufferings  which  you,  in  the  providence  of  God,  must  still  under- 
go. Still  I  trust  that  at  least  an  overwhelming  majority  of  you  have  the 
spirit  of  that  mother  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  who  said  the  other  day, 
'  What  are  sons  worth  without  a  country  ?'  [Cheers.]  I  trust  you  have  the 
spirit  of  .1  friend  and  former  parishioner  of  mine  in  the  borough  of  Harris- 
burg,  who  has  sent  six  stalwart  sons  to  the  scene  of  strife.  Just  before  they 
left  home  and  their  mother's  presence  they  assembled  in  a  photographic 
gallery  and  had  their  pictures  taken,  the  eldest  son  standing  in  the  midst  of 
his  other  brothers,  and  grasping  the  flag  of  the  stars  and  stripes,  and  that 
picture  left  with  the  mother  is  an  evidence  of  undying  affection.  I  think, 
too,  in  this  connection  of  a  mother  in  the  State  of  New  York,  whose  son 
the  other  day  proceeded  to  the  seat  of  war.  He  was  connected  with  the 
Shcppard  Rifles,  Colonel  Farcira  commanding.  It  so  occurred  that  the 
young  man's  position  was  at  the  end  of  the  platoon,  near  the  curb-stone,  and 
the  mother,  anxious  to  be  with  him  as  long  as  he  remained  in  New  York, 


HEROISM    OF   THE   WAR.  253 

took  her  place  at  his  side.  As  the  regiment  moved  along  Fourteenth  Street 
and  down  Broadway,  that  heroic  old  American  mother  walked  with  her  boy, 
keeping  step  with  him.  To  relieve  him  while  she  could,  she  took  his  mus- 
ket from  his  hand,  and  stuck  it  over  her  old  shoulder,  and  so  she  marched 
with  him,  side  by  side,  carrying  his  musket ;  and  the  boy  was  so  much 
moved  by  her  devotion  that  the  tears  literally  ran  down  his  cheeks.  '  Don't 
cry — don't  cry,  my  boy,'  she  said  ;  '  be  brave,  and  then,  with  God's  blessing, 
all  must  and  will  be  well.'  [Cheers.]  So,  mothers  and  wives  and  sisters 
and  daughters  of  Lancaster,  say  to  your  cherished  ones, '  Go,  go  !'  It  is  like 
tearing  the  heart  out  of  our  living  and  breathing  bodies  ;  it  is  like  enshroud- 
ing our  present  and  future  with  a  gloom  that  must  all  the  time  be  felt ;  nev- 
ertheless, go  and  fight  these  battles  of  truth  and  justice  and  liberty,  and 
God's  blessing  must  be  upon  you  and  yours.  [Applause.] 

"  As  the  last  speaker  remarked,  it  is  a  gloomy  hour  in  our  country's  his- 
tory ;  but  I  apprehend,  my  fellow-citizens,  that  if  we  look  over  the  events 
of  the  last  fifteen  months  we  will  still  find  reason  for  thankfulness.  Is  it 
nothing  that  that  effeminacy  which  was  beginning  to  curse  our  citizens  has 
met  so  powerful  and  sufficient  an  antidote  ?  Is  it  nothing  that  that  spirit  of 
insubordination  which  has  been  so  painfully  rife  in  our  happy  land,  and  which 
is,  perhaps,  one  .of  the  very  causes  of  our  present  troubles,  is  receiving  so  ef- 
fectual a  check  ?  Is  it  nothing  that  our  patriotism,  which  seemed  almost 
cold,  is  to-day  burning  with  a  brilliant  flame  ?  That  that  sentiment,  which 
had  almost  died  out,  has  become  a  principal  passion  in  the  nation's  heart  ? 
I  take  it  upon  myself  to  say  that  there  have  been  more  acts  of  moral  hero- 
ism in  this  land  within  the  last  fifteen  months  than  in  all  our  history  previ- 
ously. [Cheers.]  And  is  all  this  nothing  ?  Is  it  nothing  that  success  from 
time  to  time  has  crowned  our  arms  ?  Is  it  nothing  that  Nashville  is  ours  ? 
Is  it  nothing  that  Memphis  is  ours  ?  and  New  Orleans  is  ours,  and  Norfolk 
is  ours,  and  Winchester  is  ours,  and  the  Shenandoah  Valley  is  ours,  and  that 
Richmond  is,  we  trust  and  think,  soon  to  be  ours  ?  [Cheers.]  Is  it  noth- 
ing that  that  flag  which  we  all  love  so  much — and,  by  the  way,  I  am  just 
here  reminded  of  a  sentiment  of  a  rebel  prisoner,  who  said  to  a  friend  of 
mine,  that  when  they  came  within  sight  of  the  old  flag  they  were  very  likely 
to  feel  weak  in  the  knees.  [Laughter  and  applause.]  I  say,  is  it  nothing 
that  that  grand  old  flag  on  the  last  Fourth  of  July  floated  in  every  one  of 
the  thirty-four  states  ?  [Cheers.]  Is  all  that  nothing  ?  [Great  applause.] 

"  Some  of  you,  perhaps,  have  heard  of  a  very  remarkable  iron  egg,  said 
to  be  still  preserved  in  the  city  of  Dresden.  There  is  a  legend  connected 
with  this  egg,  which  runs  somewhat  to  this  effect :  On  a  certain  occasion,  a 
prince  sent  the  iron  egg  to  his  betrothed.  When  she  received  the  gift  she 


254  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

looked  at  it,  and,  becoming  entirely  disgusted  with  so  rude  a  present,  she 
flung  it  in  disgust  upon  the  ground.  As  it  struck  the  earth,  a  secret  spring 
was  touched,  and  lo  !  a  silver  yolk  rolled  forth  from  the  egg.  As  she  gath- 
ered up  the  yolk,  she  touched  another  secret  spring,  and  lo  !  a  golden  chick- 
en was  evolved.  She  took  the  chicken  in  both  hands,  and  in  doing  so  she 
touched  a  secret  spring,  and  lo !  a  ruby  crown  appeared.  She  touched  a 
secret  spring  in  the  ruby  crown,  and  lo  !  her  eyes  were  blessed  with  the  sight 
of  a  magnificent  marriage  diamond  ring.  So  let  me  remind  you  that  this 
nation  from  the  hand  of  God's  providence  seemed  to  have  received  an  iron 
egg — an  egg  all  crusted  with  tears  and  clotted  with  blood ;  but  lo  !  with  the 
dismantling  of  Sumter  a  secret  spring  was  touched,  and  a  silver  yolk  ap- 
peared, which,  like  a  shield  of  patriotism,  spread  over  all  the  Northern  States 
of  this  great  and  glorious  Union.  A  secret  spring  in  this  silver  yolk  of  pa- 
triotism was  touched,  and  instead  of  one  golden  chicken  we  have  a  brood — 
McClellan  [cheers],  Halleck,  Banks,  Burnside,  Hunter,  Foote,  Farragut, 
Grant,  and  Buell,  and  many  others  whom  I  might,  and  perhaps  ought  to 
name.  [Cheers!]  Now  these  golden  chickens  are  each  one  bringing  a  ruby 
crown  of  victory.  McClellan,  Yorktown  ;  Halleck,  Corinth  ;  Banks,  Win- 
chester ;  Burnside,  Roanoke  and  Newbern ;  Grant,  Forts  Henry  and  Donel- 
son ;  Buell,  Shiloh ;  Foote,  Island  No.  10 ;  and  Farragut — not  a  very  pretty 
name,  but  certainly  a  very  pretty  deed — has  given  us  New  Orleans.  Each 
one  has  contributed  his  ruby  to  make  up  a  great  crown  of  victory,  and  when 
the  secret  spring  in  that  crown  shall  be  touched  the  ring  of  the  Union  will 
appear  still  unbroken,  and  rendered  more  beautiful  and  valuable  than  ever 
before  by  the  addition  of  the  sparkling  diamond  of  universal  liberty.  [Tre- 
mendous applause.] 

"  'The  cloud  is  vanishing  from  the  day; 

Lo  !  the  right  is  about  to  conquer — 
Clear  the  way !' 

"  Men  of  thought,  men  of  action,  clear  the  way — clear  the  way  !  Our  army 
at  Harrison's  Landing,  our  country  dismembered  and  bleeding,  the  cause  of 
freedom  throughout  the  world,  and  God  sitting  upon  the  circle  of  yonder  fir- 
mament, are  making  powerful  and  resistless  calls  upon  us  to  do  our  duty, 
and  our  whole  duty,  to  our  country.  [Cheers.]" 

The  session  of  the  New  York  Conference  held  in  the  Wash- 
ington Square  Church,  New  York  City,  was  one  of  marked  in- 
terest and  solemnity,  especially  on  account  of  the  Report  which 
was  adopted  on  the  state  of  the  country.  One  of  the  members 
of  the  Conference,  Captain  Pelatiah  Ward,  who  had  volunteered 


LOYALTY   OF   THE   NEW   YORK   CONFERENCE.  255 

early  in  the  war,  had  been  killed  in  battle  during  the  past  sum- 
mer. He  was  a  generous,  valiant  man,  and  much  loved  by  his 
brethren.  The  President  of  the  United  States  had  issued  the 
proclamation  of  emancipation,  the  justice  and  policy  of  which 
were  yet  much  debated,  and  the  unanimity  which  at  the  outbreak 
of  the  rebellion  universally  prevailed  had  become  much  disturb- 
ed by  factious  opposition.  Mr.  Cookman  felt  it  was  no  time  for 
Methodist  preachers  to  mince  words,  to  stickle  over  questions 
of  constitutional  nicety,  but  that  the  trumpet  from  them,  as  lead- 
ers of  public  opinion,  must  give  a  certain  sound.  He'drew  up 
the  report.  Its  reading  excited  the  deepest  emotion  ;  thrilling 
speeches  were  made  by  leading  members  of  the  Conference, 
and  with  but  slight  opposition  it  was  adopted  amid  great  ap- 
plause. I  give  the  resolutions  : 

"  Resolved —  i.  That  as  members  and  ministers  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  within  the  bounds  of  the  New  York  Annual  Conference,  we 
cheerfully  renew  our  vows  of  uncompromising  and  unconditional  loyalty  to 
the  United  States  of  America — a  nationality  we  are  proud  to  acknowledge, 
and  resolved,  with  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  to  maintain. 

"2.  That  it  is  our  duty,  enforced  alike  by  the  Word  of  God  and  our  Book 
of  Discipline,  to  submit  to  and  to  co-operate  with  the  regularly  constituted 
civil  authorities,  and  to  enjoin  the  same  upon  our  people. 

"  3.  That  while  we  do  not  deny,  but  rather  recognize  and  defend,  the  right 
of  our  people  to  discuss  the  measures  and  policy  of  the  Government,  at  the 
sairife  time  we  would  counsel  that,  in  the  present  critical  condition  of  public 
affairs,  this  right  is  to  be  exercised  with  great  forbearance,  caution,  and  pru- 
dence. 

"4.  That  the  conduct  of  those  who,  influenced  by  political  affinities  or 
Southern  sympathies,  and  under  the  pretext  of  discriminating  between  the 
Administration  and  the  Government,  throw  themselves  in  the  path  of  almost 
every  warlike  measure,  is  in  our  view  covert  treason,  which  has  the  malig- 
nity without  the  manliness  of  those  who  have  arrayed  themselves  in  open 
hostility  to  our  liberties,  and  is  deserving  of  our  sternest  denunciation  and 
our  most  determined  opposition. 

"  5.  That  slavery  is  an  evil,  incompatible  in  its  spirit  and  practice  with 
the  principles  of  Christianity,  with  republican  institutions,  with  the  peace 
and  prosperity  of  our  country,  and  with  the  traditions,  doctrines,  and  disci- 


256  LIFE   OF   ALFRED    COOKMAN. 

pline  of  our  Church  ;  and  that  our  long  and  anxious  inquiry,  '  What  shall 
be  done  for  its  extirpation  ?'  has  been  singularly  answered  by  divine  Provi- 
dence, which  has  given  to  Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United  States, 
the  power  and  the  disposition  to  issue  a  proclamation  guaranteeing  the  boon 
of  freedom  to  millions  of  Southern  bondmen. 

"  6.  That  we  heartily  concur  in  this  proclamation  as  indicating  the  right- 
eousness of  our  cause,  securing  the  sympathies  of  the  liberty-loving  the 
world  over,  and,  above  all,  insuring  the  approbation  of  the  universal  Father, 
who  is  invariably  on  the  side  of  justice  and  freedom. 

"  7.  That  we  find  abundant  reason  for  gratitude  and  encouragement  in 
the  recent  revival  of  the  nation's  patriotism  ;  in  the  maintenance  of  our  pub- 
lic credit ;  in  the  change  of  public  opinion  -abroad,  especially  in  England  ; 
and  in  the  gradual  but,  we  trust,  sure  progress  of  our  arms. 

"  8.  That  we  cordially  accept  the  President's  recommendation  to  observe 
the  thirtieth  day  of  the  present  month  as  a  season  of  solemn  fasting  and 
prayer  ;  and  that,  assembling  in  our  various  places  of  worship,  we  will  hum- 
ble ourselves,  and  earnestly  supplicate  the  great  Ruler  of  nations  to  forgive 
our  national  offenses ;  to  guide,  sustain,  and  bless  our  public  rulers ;  to  look 
upon  our  army  and  navy  mercifully,  ^giving  success  to  our  arms,  so  that  this 
infamous  rebellion  may  be  speedily  crushed,  and  peace,  at  once  righteous 
and  permanent,  may  return  to  and  smile  upon  our  American  heritage. 

"9.  That  our  interest  in  and  sympathy  for  those  who  represent  us  in  the 
field  continues  unabated,  and  that  to  all  those  who  are  suffering  in  conse- 
quence of  the  havoc  or  desolations  of  this  terrible  war,  we  offer  our  sincer- 
est  sympathies  and  Christian  condolence. 

"  10.  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  transmitted  to  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  and  that  they  be  published  in  the  Christian  Advocate  and 
Journal" 

It  was  such  action  as  this  on  the  part  of  the  Methodist  min- 
isters, sustained  by  the  laymen  for  whom  and  to  whom  they 
spoke,  both  at  the  ballot-box  and  on  the  battle-field,  that  led 
Mr.  Lincoln  to  say  that  no  Church  had  done  so  much  to  sup- 
port the  Government  in  its  efforts  to  maintain  the  Union  as  the 
Methodist  ministers  and  people.  It  was  not  a  little  due  to  Mr. 
Cookman  that  the  declaration  of  the  New  York  Conference, 
representing  a  large  popular  sentiment  in  the  commercial  heart 
of  the  nation,  assumed  a  shape  so  positive  and  incisive.  It  was 
but  the  emanation  of  his  own  convictions. 


THE   CHRISTIAN    BROTHERHOOD.  257 

The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Cookman  closed  at  the  Central  Church 
with  the  universal  regret  of  its  members.  The  young  people 
had  become  ardently  attached  to  him.  He  had  taken  especial 
pains  to  draw  together  and  render  efficient  the  young  men  of 
the  congregation,  and  for  this  purpose  had  organized  among 
them  a  society  called  the  "  Christian  Brotherhood,"  which  held 
regular  meetings  for  business,  religious,  social,  and  literary  ex- 
ercises, and  also  took  general  supervision  of  the  young  men 
who  attended  the  Church  services.  This  society  was  pleased 
to  express  their  appreciation  of  their  retiring  pastor  by  passing 
resolutions  which  are  valuable  as  a  tribute  to  him  and  as  a 
hint  to  other  ministers  : 

"Whereas,  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman,  our  late  pastor,  has,  in  the  economy 
of  our  Church,  been  transferred  to  another  field  of  labor — 

"  Resolved,  That  we  remember  with  great  pleasure  our  relations  during 
the  term  of  his  pastorate,  and  that  we  deem  his  unusual  interest  in  our  As- 
sociation, and  continued  efforts  to  promote  its  prosperity,  as  worthy  of  par- 
ticular mention  and  record. 

"  Resolved,  That  to  his  regular  attendance  upon  our  meetings,  his  court- 
eous yet  earnest  participation  in  our  discussions,  his  evident  anxiety  that 
our  organization  should  prove  of  the  highest  benefit  to  the  Church,  and  his 
constant  endeavor  for  this  result,  is  due  much  of  its  prosperity  and  useful- 
ness. 

"Resolved,  That  upon  retrospect  of  the  term  of  Brother  Cookman's  serv- 
ice, we  are  led  to  believe  that  the  pastors  of  our  churches  would  add  greatly 
to  the  effectiveness  of  their  labors  by  more  fully  interesting  themselves  in 
the  established  meetings  and  organizations  of  their  charges ;  as  an  active 
sympathy  in  concerns  already  enlisting  the  sympathies  of  their  people  must 
afford  opportunity  not  otherwise  enjoyed  of  learning  their  dispositions  and 
peculiarities,  of  securing  a  place  in  their  affections,  and  of  gaining  confi- 
dence, respect,  and  influence,  as  also,  by  counsel  and  co-operation,  of  pro- 
moting wiser  action  and  developing  wider  results. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  name  of  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman  be  placed  upon  the 
list  of  honorary  members  of  this  Brotherhood." 


CHAPTER  XV. 

TRINITY  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH,  NEW  YORK. — THE  ARMY 
OF  THE  POTOMAC  AND  THE  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION. 

MR.  COOKMAN  was  next  appointed,  in  the  spring  of  1863,  to 
the  Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  on  West  Thirty-fourth 
Street.  Here  his  ministry  proved  highly  acceptable  and  use- 
ful. The  congregations  were  never  larger  than  while  he  was 
pastor,  and  there  were  many  valuable  accessions  to  the  Church. 
There  are  some  persons  still  connected  with  Trinity,  and  some 
belonging  to  other  churches  in  the  city,  who  were  the  fruits  of 
his  fidelity  at  this  time,  and  who  are  among  the  most  useful 
and  active  Christians  in  New  York.  The  savor  of  his  piety 
diffused  itself  rapidly  through  all  the  departments  of  the  sta- 
tion. He  established  a  service  on  Friday  afternoons,  under 
his  personal  control,  for  the  advancement  of  Christian  purity, 
and  succeeded  in  gathering  to  it  many  of  the  earnest  lovers  of 
holiness  within  his  own  charge,  and  some  beyond  it.  These 
meetings  were  very  helpful  to  the  piety  of  the  Church,  and 
were  instrumental  in  bringing  not  a  few  into  the  clearer  light 
of  perfect  love.  In  their  use  his  personal  religious  experience 
was  also  greatly  enriched,  and  his  ministry  correspondingly 
nourished. 

The  most  marked  event  of  this  pastoral  term  was  Mr.  Cook- 
man's  visit  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  on  special  service  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  Christian  Commission.  He  showed 
himself  ready  not  only  to  talk  sacrifice,  but  to  go  to  the  front, 
that  he  might  cheer,  in  the  capacity  of  minister  and  brother, 
the  hearts  of  the  valiant  and  exposed  soldiers.  The  best  epit- 


SERVICE   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION.  259 

ome  of  his  thoughts  and  doings  while  thus  engaged  is  fur- 
nished in  his  letters  written  to  friends  at  home.  The  Sanitary 
and  Christian  Commissions,  organized  for  the  relief  of  the  sol- 
diers of  the  United  States,  in  addition  to  what  was  done  for 
them  directly  by  the  Government,  were  sustained  wholly  by  the 
voluntary  offerings  of  the  people,  and  constituted  in  their  work 
one  of  the  brightest  features  of  the  war.  Never  before  was 
stern  suffering  so  alleviated  by  the  tenderer  aspects  of  Chris- 
tian and  humane  sentiment.  The  benevolence  of  the  country 
rose  in  a  majesty  and  beauty  which  signally  contrasted  with  the 
dark  clouds  of  fratricidal  conflict.  The  Christian  Commission 
aimed  not  only  to  extend  to  the  fainting  warrior  the  delica- 
cies which  the  body  and  mind  so  much  needed,  but  also,  and 
chiefly,  the  Word  of  Life — in  the  shape  of  Bibles,  good  books, 
tracts,  preaching,  and  pastoral  visitation.  It  drafted  for  its  oc- 
casional services  ministers  and  laymen  of  the  first  talents ;  and 
the  good  it  accomplished,  while  abundantly  attested  in  the 
records  of  its  history,  can  not  be  fully  known  until  all  earthly 
accounts  are  written  up. 
To  his  wife : 

"  WASHINGTON,  Saturday  night,  1864. 

*  *  *  "  Not  for  a  single  moment  have  I  faltered  in  my  faith  that  this  path 
in  which  I  am  walking  has  been  appointed  by  my  faithful  Heavenly  Father. 
Oh !  how  unspeakably  precious  He  has  been  since  we  parted  yesterday 
morning.  I  am  leaning  on  His  almighty  arm,  and  feel  assured  that  all  will 
be  well.  Every  thing  is  transpiring  just  as  I  could  desire.  In  the  New 
York  train  I  found  Dr.  Stryker,  my  neighbor ;  Mr.  McAllister,  Sr.,  of  Har- 
risburg ;  and  Mr.  Chidlaw,  who  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Christian 
Commission.  The  time  passed  quickly. 

"  Reaching  Philadelphia,  I  dined  with  Mr.  George  H.  Stuart,  who  was  en- 
thusiastically affectionate  and  attentive ;  purchased  many  needful  articles,  etc. 
Proceeding  to  George's,  I  rather  surprised  them  with  my  visit  and  mission, 
and  spent  a  most  delightful  evening  in  their  society.  This  morning  left 
Philadelphia  at  eight  o'clock  ;  found  friends  in  the  car ;  traveled  without  in- 
terruption ;  had  about  two  hours  in  Baltimore,  but  owing  to  a  chafed  foot, 
which  was  quite  painful,  could  not  visit  friends.  Left  about  half-past  three ; 


260  LIFE    OF  ALFRED    COOKMAN. 

found  some  friends  in  the  car  again  (Pittsburgh  friends) ;  arrived  in  Wash- 
ington about  half-past  five.  To-night  I  am  with  my  old  friend  Scott.  We 
supped  and  will  sleep  together.  To-morrow  I  preach  for  the  Fourteenth 
New  Hampshire  Regiment,  and  on  Monday  morning,  with  my  friends  Hat- 
field  and  Watkins,  start  for  the  front.  The  Christian  Commission  show  us 
every  attention.  They  are  evidently  anxious  to  make  a  good  impression  on 
our  minds,  that,  like  the  spies,  we  may  take  back  a  '  good  report.' 

"  Do  not  give  yourself  any  anxiety  about  me.  I  will  try  to  be  careful  for 
your  sake.  Whenever  I  can  I  will  drop  you  a  line.  As  I  suggested  when 
with  you,  if  necessary,  telegraph  to  Ebenezer  Scott,  No.  393  Pennsylvania 
Avenue,  who  can  communicate  immediately,  through  the  Commission,  with 
the  army.  If  you  write  before  you  hear  from  me  again,  direct  to  the  care 
of  E.  Scott,  Box  285  (a  new  number).  My  friend  is  waiting  for  me,  and  I 
must  close.  Tired  as  I  am,  I  feel  as  if  I  could  thus  communicate  with  my 
darling  wife  for  an  hour  longer.  Pray  for  me.  Oh  !  I  do  so  much  want  to 
be  useful  in  the  work  to  which  I  am  going.  My  soul  to-night  is  sweetly 
reposing  in  God.  '  He  is  my  song  and  my  shield.'  " 

To  his  wife : 

"WASHINGTON,  Saturday  night,  10  o'clock. 

"  You  will  not  object  to  a  short  note,  I  am  sure.  I  am  finishing  my  first 
Sabbath  in  the  service  of  the  Christian  Commission.  This  morning  I  pro- 
ceeded, according  to  arrangement,  to  the  camp  or  barracks  of  the  First  New 
Hampshire.  To  our  surprise  and  disappointment,  we  found  that  they  had 
suddenly  left  the  night  before.  Part  of  another  regiment,  however,  had  come 
in,  and  the  proposition  was  for  us  to  preach  to  them  in  the  afternoon.  There- 
upon I  hastened  to  Wesley  Chapel,  and  heard  a  masterly  sermon  on  the 
subject  of  the  Transfiguration  from  my  friend  B.  Peyton  Brown ;  met  any 

number  of  old  friends  ;  yielded  to  the  pressing  invitation  of  Mrs.  T ,  and 

accompanied  her  home  to  dinner. 

"  After  dinner  Brother  Scott  called,  and  we  proceeded  again  to  the  camp 
of  the  First  Maine.  The  men  were  drawn  up  in  a  hollow  square.  It  was 
a  magnificent  spectacle.  They  appeared  in  full  dress  uniform  and  under 
arms,  accompanied  by  a  brass  band.  Surrounded  by  a  large  company  of 
Washingtonians,  I  held  forth  the  Word  of  Life.  It  was  an  open-air  service, 
and  consequently  very  exhausting.  Nevertheless  I  got  through  comfort- 
ably. The  men  were  solemn  and  attentive,  and  I  trust  good  was  done. 
After  the  service  I  distributed  some  papers  and  hymn-books,  and  seized  the 
opportunity  to  converse  religiously  with  a  number  of  the  soldiers.  With 
Brother  Charles  Lane,  my  first  class-leader,  I  then  went  home  to  tea.  Oh, 
how  very,  very  cordial  he  was.  I  praise  my  Heavenly  Father  for  his  friendship 


ARMY    EXPERIENCES.  261 

and  love.  At  seven  I  went  to  the  Armory  Square  Hospital,  and  preached 
to  a  chapel  full  of  soldiers.  Never  have  I  addressed  a  more  attentive  or  ap- 
parently interested  company  of  men.  They  hung  on  every  syllable.  At 
the  close  about  twenty  rose  for  prayers.  The  power  of  the  Highest  rested 
upon  the  assemblage.  We  sung  'Going  home,'  'Marching  along,'  'Rest 
for  the  weary ;'  oh,  how  the  noble  boys  poured  out  the  tide  of  song !  I 
thought  while  I  was  preaching  to  them,  many  a  faithful  mother  and  sister 
are  pouring  out  their  souls  in  earnest  prayer  for  their  absent  sons  and 
brothers.  God  gave  me  their  hearts,  and  the  chaplain  is  clamorous  for  me 
to  remain  and  labor  among  them  during  the  present  week.  I  leave  the  de- 
termination of  this  to  that  faithful  God  whose  I  am  and  whom  I  serve. 

"  This  ends  my  first  day  of  labor.  Glory  to  God  to-night  for  his  mercy 
shown  the  very  feeblest  of  all  his  messengers.  Oh,  how  my  soul  trusts  and 
rejoices  in  the  God  and  rock  of  my  salvation  !  To-morrow  I  move,  as  a  good 
soldier  of  Jesus,  just  where  my  Captain  directs.  My  foot  has  been  very  sore, 
obliging  me  to  limp  in  walking;  still  I  have  not  been  hindered  in  any  de- 
partment of  work.  Remember  me  to  all  friends.  Ask  my  people  to  pray 
for  their  absent  pastor,  that  God  will  own  and  bless  his  humble  labors  in 
behalf  of  our  brave  soldiers.  Kiss  my  children  for  papa.  Tell  dear  moth- 
er and  sister  Mary,  and  John  and  sister  M ,  to  remember  me  specially 

before  God,  and  believe  me  yours  devotedly." 

To  his  wife  : 

"BRANDY  STATION,  AT  THE  FRONT,  February  29, 1864. 

"  Here  I  am  at  the  front,  within  a  few  miles  of  General  Lee's  army,  and 
yet  as  calm  as  a  summer's  eve.  We  left  Washington  this  morning  about 
ten  o'clock,  and,  after  a  most  interesting  ride  of  seventy  miles,  reached  our 
place  of  destination  at  half-past  two  this  afternoon.  The  country  through 
which  we  passed  wears  an  air  of  desolation,  which  was  dismal  to  contem- 
plate ;  no  fences,  no  houses,  no  cultivation  whatever,  only  the  debris  of  de- 
stroyed property  and  continuous  camps  of  soldiers.  By  my  side  in  the  car 

sat  a  Captain  C ,  of  Camden,  New  Jersey,  who  has  been  connected  with 

the  army  since  the  commencement  of  the  war.  He  was  very  kind  and  com- 
municative, pointing  out  the  scenes  of  several  battles,  and  calling  attention 
to  various  points  of  interest 

"  My  companions  in  the  service  of  the  Commission,  Brothers  Hatfield  and 
Watkins,  were  very  fraternal  and  pleasant.  Arriving  at  Brandy  Station,  we 
found  our  head-quarters  quite  near,  an  ordinary  camp-meeting  tent,  with  a 
front  and  rear  apartment.  Here  we  have  our  bunks  for  sleeping,  rather 
rough,  but  better  almost  than  I  had  expected.  Our  commissary  prepared 


262  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

our  dinner.  When  we  sat  down  we  could  not  restrain  immoderate  laugh- 
ter. It  was  primitive  truly.  Tin  cups  for  chocolate,  tin  plates,  the  brown- 
est sugar,  and  no  butter.  However,  we  got  along  gloriously.  My  pre- 
cious little  George  would  have  enjoyed  it,  for  there  was  plenty  of  good 
molasses  to  eat  with  our  bread.  The  meal  dispatched  we  sallied  forth,  and 
spent  an  hour  very  pleasantly  in  the  contraband  camp,  which  is  quite  near. 
As  the  Commission  can  not  give  us  work  until  to-morrow,  we  arranged  for 
a  meeting  to-night  among  the  colored  people.  There  is  an  Uncle  Ben  and 
an  Uncle  Dick  who  are  represented  as  most  interesting  characters.  We 
have  just  dispatched  our  supper — tin  cups  and  plates,  of  course,  but  some 
butter  and  beef-steak — a  right  good  meal.  I  have  made  up  my  mind  to  my 
circumstances,  and  hope  to  enjoy  and  profit  by  them. 

"  My  friend  Scott  was  very  kind  in  completing  my  outfit.  I  think  I  have 
every  thing  needful  for  one  in  my  circumstances.  My  only  trial  now  is  my 
absence  from  my  family.  I  think  of  you  very  frequently,  and  ask  my  Heav- 
enly Father  to  watch  over  and  preserve  you  all.  My  mind  is  still  kept  in 
perfect  peace.  God  opens  my  way,  and  strengthens  and  comforts  me  as  I 
walk  in  that  way.  Blessed  be  His  name.  The  brethren  are  hurrying  me  to 
accompany  them  to  the  negro  meeting.  Tell  the  Friday-afternoon  meeting 
to  pray  for  me  specially." 

To  his  wife : 

"  CAMP  SIXTH  N.  Y.  HEAVY  ARTILLERY,  March  2, 1864. 

"  Will  you  not  confess  that  I  am  a  faithful  army  correspondent  ?  I  be- 
lieve that  I  have  written  every  day  since  we  parted.  Yesterday  we  were 
confined  at  Brandy  Station  by  the  storm.  It  was  one  of  the  most  dismal 
days  I  ever  witnessed.  Shut  up  in  our  tent,  letter-writing  was  an  agreeable 
pastime.  This  morning  I  rose  after  a  good  night's  rest  to  look  forth  upon 
a  cloudless  sky  ;  but  the  mud — oh,  the  mud  !  I  now  better  understand  the 
difficulty  of  army  movements.  The  passage  of  army  wagons  (of  which  there 
is  no  end)  and  heavy  artillery  is  almost  entirely  interrupted  by  the  condition 
of  the  soil. 

"  This  morning  I  visited  head-quarters,  and  had  a  most  agreeable  interview 
with  General  Meade.  He  received  us  very  politely,  invited  us  into  his  tent, 
bade  us  be  seated,  and  chatted  very  familiarly  and  kindly.  His  photographs 
are  very  good  ;  perhaps  they  give  the  impression  of  a  larger  and  more  rug- 
ged man  than  the  original.  His  recent  illness  has  left  him  thin,  but  he  pro- 
fesses to  be  enjoying  excellent  health  at  the  present.  A  care-worn  expres- 
sion lingers  round  his  face  ;  but  is  this  wonderful  when  we  consider  the  bur- 
den of  care  which  rests  upon  his  patriotic  heart  ?  He  impressed  me  with 


RELIGIOUS   WORK    IN    THE   ARMY.  263 

his  gentlemanly  bearing  and  kind  spirit,  rather  than  with  his  superior  sol- 
dierly appearance.  We  called  at  the  same  time  on  General  Patrick,  who  is 
one  of  the  notabilities  here,  occupying  the  position  of  Provost  Marshal  of 
this  division  of  the  army.  He  is  an  intelligent,  affable,  and  interesting  man. 
I  have  reached  my  field  of  labor.  The  N.  Y.  Sixth  Heavy  Artillery  num- 
bers about  1300  men.  Besides  these  there  are  New  York,  Connecticut,  and 
Massachusetts  batteries,  and  the  ammunition  trains,  all  around  us,  number- 
ing together  3000  or  4000  men.  Here,  then,  I  am  to  toil  for  their  advantage. 
It  is  not  exactly  the  place  I  would  have  chosen  for  myself,  nevertheless  it 
may  be  the  right  place.  When  it  was  mentioned  to  me,  I  did  not  dare  to 
murmur  or  remonstrate,  for  I  have  put  myself  in  God's  hands,  and,  without 
any  agency  of  my  own,  want  to  see  what  He  proposes  to  do  with  me  during 
my  sojourn  at  the  front 

"  The  soldiers  are  in  winter-quarters — log  huts  covered  with  canvas.  The 
officers'  quarters  are  exceedingly  tasty  and  comfortable :  little  homes  that 
would  not  disfigure  Central  Park.  Many  of  them  have  their  wives  here, 
and  seem  disposed  to  enjoy  life  while  it  lasts.  To  visit  the  men  in  their 
tents,  converse  with  them,  etc.,  eta,  will  occupy  most  of  my  time.  A  little 
while  ago  I  walked  over  to  look  at  the  battery  of  the  N.  Y.  Fifth  Heavy  Ar- 
tillery. A  young  lieutenant  whom  I  providentially  met  was  singularly  po- 
lite and  kind — escorting  me  to  various  points  of  interest,  showing  me  all  the 
appurtenances  of  their  heavy  Parrot  guns,  etc.  I  was  careful  to  introduce 
the  subject  of  religion,  and  was  delighted  to  find  him  respectful  and  tender. 
How  is  my  dear  wife  this  afternoon  ?  I  have  not  as  yet  heard  a  word  from 
home.  I  suppose  that  my  correspondence  will  almost  necessarily  be  a  good 
deal  interrupted.  Our  quarters  here  are  considerably  rougher  than  they 
were  at  Brandy  Station  ;  but  never  mind,  they  are  better  than  I  deserve." 

To  his  wife : 

"  HEAD-QUARTERS  OF  RESERVE  ARTILLERY,  March  3, 1864. 

"  I  am  sitting  in  our  chapel  tent,  which  is  used  by  the  soldiers  during  the 
day  as  a  kind  of  reading-room.  They  find  here  books,  papers,  with  all  the 
necessary  articles  for  penning  letters,  etc.  It  is  very  thoughtful  and  kind 
in  the  Christian  Commission  to  furnish  them  with  these  conveniences. 

"  Last  night  I  commenced  operations  in  this  vicinity,  preaching  to  a  com- 
pany of  soldiers  who  crowded  our  chapel  tent.  They  were  very  attentive, 
and  thirteen  rose  for  prayers.  I  have  appointed  an  inquiry  and  experience 
meeting  for  this  afternoon,  and  expect  to  preach  again  to-night  I  say 
'  expect,'  for  every  thing  in  an  army  is  very  uncertain.  Owing  to  the  soft 
condition  of  the  soil,  the  corps  of  heavy  artillery,  especially,  will  hardly  be 


264  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

able  to  move  for  a  number  of  weeks,  and  yet  as  I  write  the  roar  of  cannon 
fills  my  ears.  It  may  be  only  target-practice,  or  it  may  be  the  commence- 
ment of  an  engagement ;  most  probably  the  former.  Do  not  at  any  time  be 
alarmed  about  me.  I  am  led  by  infinite  wisdom,  defended  by  infinite  pow- 
er, comforted  by  infinite  love.  I  do  not  allow  myself  to  live  in  the  future, 
for  three  weeks  would  seem  long,  but  a  day  at  a  time  I  try  to  do  my  work, 
looking  unto  Jesus. 

"  Our  accommodations  are  not  even  what  we  had  at  Brandy  Station. 
Our  tent  is  about  ten  feet  square.  In  that  little  space  we  do  our  cooking 
and  sleeping.  The  former  is  supervised  by  a  superannuated  soldier,  who 
does  the  best  he  can.  The  sleeping  was  decidedly  cold  last  night.  I  had 
t  j  withdraw  my  nose  from  the  air,  which  was  full  of  frost,  and  roll  myself 
up  in  a  coil  or  bundle,  to  make  all  the  animal  heat  available.  Even  then  I 
spent  some  sleepless  hours  through  chilliness.  I  do  not  repeat  these  things 
by  way  of  complaint — nay,  I  am  too  good  a  soldier  for  that.  This  is  only  a 
reference  to  the  seasoning  process  I  am  undergoing.  I  feel  very  well  to- 
day, and  hope,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  to  endure  hardness,  and  then  re- 
turn to  you  in  the  fullness  of  the  blessing  of  the  Gospel  of  peace.  Give  my 
love  to  my  dear  people.  Tell  them  to  pray  for  me  very  specially." 

To  his  wife  : 

"  RESERVE  ARTILLERY,  March  4,  1864. 

"  A  few  moments  before  dinner  will  afford  me  an  opportunity  to  pen  you 
a  short  letter.  This,  I  am  sure,  will  not  be  unwelcome.  It  is  now  one 
week  since  I  left  you.  I  am  not  sorry  the  week  is  gone,  for,  Providence 
favoring,  I  am  that  much  nearer  my  loved  home.  To-day  it  is  blustering, 
raw,  disagreeable  ;  most  probably  the  herald  of  another  storm.  Last  even- 
ing we  had  even  a  larger  crowd  of  soldiers  than  the  night  previous.  They 
were  deeply  serious.  Six  or  seven  rose  for  prayers.  I  trust  that  good  in- 
fluences are  at  work.  We  followed  the  sermon  with  a  prayer-meeting. 
Four  prayers  were  offered  ;  two  of  them  by  lieutenants  of  the  regiment — no- 
ble fellows.  Tattoo  sounds  at  eight  o'clock,  at  which  time  the  roll  is  called, 
and  the  soldiers  are  required  to  go  to  their  tents.  This,  of  course,  limits 
our  service^.  If  we  had  another  hour,  say  till  nine,  I  have  no  doubt  it 
would  be  for  the  advantage  of  all  concerned. 

"  Another  disadvantage  is  the  godlessness  of  the  officers  ;  that  is,  most  of 
them,  for  there  are  a  few  honorable  exceptions.  Last  night  they  had  a  reg- 
ular ball  in  the  camp,  which  was  attended  by  their  wives  and  sisters.  The 
festivities  were  protracted  until  a  late  hour,  for  one  of  my  last  remembrances 
was  the  strains  of  music.  I  slept  very  comfortably  last  night,  piled  on  the 


TESTIMONY   OF   CHRISTIAN    SOLDIERS.  265 

coats  and  shawls,  made  myself  warm,  and  got  through  the  night  in  a  refresh- 
ing way.  This  afternoon  I  propose  to  ride  on  horseback  over  to  Brandy 
Station  and  find  my  correspondence,  for  up  to  this  hour  I  have  not  heard 
a  word  from  home. 

"  Tell  sister  M that  I  am  waiting  upon  God ;  sitting  with  a  teachable 

spirit  at  the  feet  of  Him  who  has  said, '  Learn  of  me.'  I  want  to  be  instruct- 
ed in  the  deep  things  of  God,  and  furnished  unto  every  good  word  and  every 
good  work.  I  surrender  myself  into  the  care  of  my  infinitely  wise  and  pow- 
erful Father,  trusting  that  He  will  lead  me  into  usefulness  and  truth,  plenty 
and  peace.  I  am  sure  He  will ;  but  it  is  sometimes  a  trial  to  walk  blindly, 
not  knowing  the  how  or  the  wherefore.  Bless  His  holy  name,  there  is  noth- 
ing, so  far  as  I  am  aware,  between  Him  and  myself,  and  I  trust  momentarily 
and  sweetly  in  the  merit  of  Jesus  Christ  my  Lord.  Kiss  my  children  for 
their  absent  papa.  I  shall  be  delighted  to  clasp  them  in  my  arms  again. 
Love  to  all.  They  are  calling  me  for  dinner." 

To  his  wife : 

"  HEAD-QUARTERS  RESERVE  ARTILLERY,  March  5,  1864. 

"  After  writing  to  you  yesterday,  I  borrowed  the  horse  of  one  of  the  cap- 
tains, and  had  a  delightful  ride  over  to  Brandy  Station.  I  thought  of  my 
boys,  and  wished  that  they  might  be  here  for  a  little  while  to  enjoy  the  priv- 
ilege of  galloping  over  the  Virginia  fields.  At  Brandy  Station  I  found  a  let- 
ter in  waiting,  the  one  you  sent  by  the  hand  of  sister  M to  Philadelphia, 

and  while  I  tarried  the  cars  arrived,  bringing  another  written  on  Tuesday 
evening.  Thank  you  kindly  for  these  affectionate  epistles.  They  come  like 
angel  visitants.  I  need  not  say  that  they  were  read  and  re-read.  I  was  sorry 
to  hear  of  the  continued  illness  of  the  children ;  perhaps  by  this  time  they 
are  all  better.  Leaving  them  in  the  care  of  our  faithful  Heavenly  Father,  I 
feel  assured  that  He  will  order  all  things  well.  Remember  that  if  their  ill- 
ness is  serious  or  dangerous,  you  must  at  once  telegraph  for  me.  Parting 
with  sister  and  little  '  Streak  of  Sunshine '  must  have  been  another  trial  for 
you.  That  boy  Will  would  be  the  life  and  light  of  any  home. 

"Last  night  I  preached  again  to  a  company  of  soldiers  that  entirely 
crowded  the  tent.  I  trust  that  seed  was  sown  in  their  hearts  which  will 
speedily  appear  in  the  form  of  fruit.  After  the  service  was  over,  and  all 
were  gone,  I  sat  in  my  tent  reading ;  while  thus  engaged  the  curtain  was 
drawn  aside,  and  a  soldier  entering,  glided  to  my  side.  '  Chaplain,'  said  he, 
'  I  can  not  rest — can  not  sleep — I  must  have  relief.  Won't  you  pray  for  me  ?' 
'  Oh  yes,  soldier,'  said  I, '  most  gladly  ;'  and  after  preaching  unto  him  Jesus, 
we  kneeled  down  together,  and  I  poured  out  my  soul  in  prayer  for  his  speedy 

M 


266  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

salvation.    These  facts  are  my  inspiration  and  encouragement  during  this 
time  of  exile  from  home. 

"  Last  night  I  rested  rather  comfortably  ;  my  shawl  makes  a  good  pillow, 
and  my  overcoat,  thrown  over  my  blanket,  contributes  to  the  warmth  of  my 
bed.  To-day  it  is  raining  again ;  most  probably  this  will  prove  a  repetition 
of  last  Tuesday's  storm.  Softening  this  Virginia  soil,  these  rains  will  oblige 
the  army  to  remain  where  it  is.  In  my  experience  I  am  panting  for  more  of 
God,  more  of  His  truth,  more  of  His  holiness,  more  of  His  power  ;  '  hunger- 
ing and  thirsting'  expresses  my  feelings  at  this  time.  Oh !  I  want  to  return 
home  in  the  fullness  of  the  blessing  of  the  Gospel  of  peace." 

To  his  wife  : 

"ARTILLERY  RESERVE,  March  7,  1864. 

"  My  last  letter  was  written  on  Saturday.  In  the  evening  of  that  day  we 
had  an  experience-meeting ;  I  would  have  given  almost  any  thing  to  have 
had  you  present  The  testimonies  of  Christian  soldiers  melted  my  heart  to 
tenderness,  and  my  head  was  literally  a  fountain  of  tears.  One  and  another 
spoke  affectionately  of  pious  and  praying  mothers.  A  noble  Ohio  soldier 
said,  'When  I  left  my  home,  a  dear,  kind  sister  gave  me  that  little  Testament' 
(drawing  the  book  from  his  side-pocket  and  holding  it  up).  '  I  had  not  been 
a  member  of  the  army  long,  before  I  realized  I  must  have  a  friend.  Who 
should  be  my  friend  ?  I  opened  my  little  Testament  and  read  of  JESUS. 
Oh  !  what  a  friend  He  has  been  to  me.  This  book  has  been  a  great  comfort 
to  me  in  my  absence  from  home.  It  is  full  of  sweet  promises.  One  is,  "  In 
my  Father's  house  are  many  mansions,"  etc.  If  I  fall  on  the  battle-field,  I 
believe  I  shall  go  to  occupy  my  mansion  in  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  God.' 

"  But  I  can  not  begin  to  tell  you  all.  It  was  one  of  the  hours  of  my  life. 
Twelve  or  fifteen  rose  for  prayers,  and  all  testified  '  It  is  good  to  be  here.' 
Yesterday  I  preached  in  the  afternoon,  and  again  in  the  evening.  The  in- 
terest is  constantly  on  the  increase.  Last  night  the  tent  was  packed,  and 
numbers  went  away  unable  to  get  in.  Men  rose  in  every  direction  asking 
our  prayers.  Some  came  to  me  after  the  meeting,  and  with  unrestrained 
tears  said,  '  Chaplain,  pray  for  me.'  The  Christian  men  of  the  regiment 
and  batteries  are  in  the  best  of  spirits,  while  the  outsiders  are  evidently  in- 
terested and  impressed.  Some  are  insisting  that  I  shall  accept  the  chap- 
laincy of  the  regiment,  and  march  with  them  during  the  approaching  sum- 
mer ;  but  this  is  not  practicable.  I  am  sitting  at  the  Master's  feet,  anxious 
to  know  His  will  concerning  me.  Lord  !  teach  me  and  lead  me,  is  my  con- 
stant prayer.  I  enjoy  the  divine  presence  more  in  preaching  than  at  any 
other  time.  I  am  waiting  for  revelations  of  God  beyond  any  thing  I  have 
ever  experienced. 


ARMY   DISCOMFORTS. — GRAND   REVIEW.  267 

"  The  discomforts  of  my  present  situation  will  make  me  appreciate  and 
enjoy  the  advantages  of  my  home  when  I  return.  For  the  last  two  days  we 
have  been  smoked  out.  The  wind  has  driven  the  smoke  down  the  pipe  of 
our  little  stove,  making  it  almost  impossible  to  breathe.  When  I  would  rest 
upon  the  bed,  I  have  been  obliged  to  cover  my  face  with  my  handkerchief,  and 
breathe  through  the  linen.  This  morning  the  wind  has  shifted  again,  and  we 
get  along  better.  My  foot  is  still  pretty  sore,  preventing  me  from  walking 
far ;  but  I  do  not  suffer  much,  and  get  along  very  well.  To-day  we  are  to 
have  a  grand  review  of  this  division  of  the  army.  The  weather  is  pleasant, 
and  I  suppose  it  will  be  a  grand  affair.  I  wish  my  boys  could  witness  it." 

To  his  wife : 

"SIXTH  NEW  YORK  HEAVY  ARTILLERY,  March  8, 1864. 

"  Yesterday  was  a  great  day.  It  brought  me  three  letters  from  my  darling 
wife — no,  two  from  yourself  and  one  from  George — that  was  it.  Didn't  I 
devour  them — roll  them  over  and  over  as  a  sweet  morsel,  extract  the  mean- 
ing and  sweetness  of  every  sentence.  They  were  a  rich  feast  for  my  hungry 
heart.  I  am  thankful  that  you  continue  well,  though  I  was  sorry  to  hear 
of  any  neuralgia  twinges.  If  my  wishes  could  govern,  you  should  not  have 
an  ache  or  a  pain.  Yesterday  we  had  a  grand  review  of  the  Artillery  Re- 
serve. It  was  very  fine.  The  appearance  and  evolutions  of  the  troops 
equal  any  thing  I  have  ever  seen.  The  soldiers  in  their  costume  do  not 
present  that  shabby  appearance  I  had  anticipated.  The  colonel  is  one  of 
the  most  tasteful  of  men,  and  one  of  the  strictest  of  officers.  Consequently 
every  thing  shines,  even  to  boots.  The  regiment  yesterday  might  have 
marched  up  Broadway  alongside  of  your  famous  Seventh. 

"  In  the  evening  I  preached  to  another  crowd.  Large  numbers  rose  again 
for  prayer.  I  trust  that  God's  spirit  is  actively  at  work  in  the  minds  and 
hearts  of  the  soldiers.  If  we  had  the  co-operation  of  the  officers,  I  think  we 
would  have  a  sweeping  and  blessed  revival ;  but  they  hold  themselves  aloof 
from  the  men,  and  are  altogether  too  great  to  stoop  to  the  consideration  of 
any  thing  so  insignificant  as  personal  religion.  I  am  myself  waiting  on  God, 
not  making  that  rapid  headway  in  personal  experience  that  I  had  antici- 
pated— not  losing,  but  concerned  to  learn  those  lessons  it  is  so  important  for 
me  to  know.  Respecting  the  Bible  money,  you  will  take  that,  as  I  wished 

you  to  take  the  six  dollars  for  Mrs. ,  out  of  the  benevolent  drawer — the 

drawer  underneath,  that  draws  out.  How  lonely  you  must  feel  without  sister 
and  Will.  Do  you  wish  me  to  call  for  them  on  my  return  ?  I  would  be 
glad  if  you  would  send  me  the  Advocate,  Methodist,  and  Independent.  We 
do  not  get  them  here  until  they  are  about  ten  days  or  two  weeks  old." 


268  LIFE   OF    ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

To  his  wife : 

"  SIXTH  NEW  YORK  HEAVY  ARTILLERY,  March  9, 1864. 

"  Yesterday,  I  believe,  is  the  first  week-day  that  I  have  failed  to  write  to 
you  since  our  separation.  The  reason  was  a  jaunt  to  Culpepper  Court- 
house, distant  about  ten  or  twelve  miles.  I  started  in  the  morning  about 
ten  o'clock,  called  at  Brandy  Station  (but  found  no  letters),  pushed  on  to 
Culpepper,  which  I  reached  a  little  after  twelve.  This  has  been  quite  an 
important  Virginia  town.  Some  of  the  houses  are  respectable,  but,  like  all 
Southern  villages,  and  especially  those  that  have  been  ravaged  by  war,  it  has 
an  untasteful  and  dilapidated  look.  The  soldiers  have  been  very  rude. 
Only  one  of  a  number  of  churches  is  fit  for  occupancy.  I  met  with  some 
friends  and  enjoyed  my  visit.  About  half-past  two  I  started  back,  making 
a  little  detour  from  the  road,  and  calling  at  the  house  of  Hon.  John  Minor 
Botts.  He  is  faithful  among  the  faithless.  A  member  of  Congress  when 
father  was  chaplain,  he  remembered  father,  and  this  fact  secured  me  a  warm 
welcome.  Leaving  his  comfortable  mansion  (the  only  one  I  have  seen  in 
the  Old  Dominion),  I  reached  my  present  quarters  about  half-past  four. 

"  The  horseback  ride  of  twenty-two  miles  left  me  wretchedly  stiff  and 
sore.  Nevertheless  I  preached  in  the  evening.  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
seemed  to  rest  upon  the  soldiers.  Upward  of  twelve  rose  for  prayers,  and 
the  meeting  which  followed  was  spirited  and  profitable.  The  night  before 
we  had  an  experience-meeting.  It  was  glorious.  One  old  soldier  said, 'I 
was  converted  in  1843  ;  ran  well  until  I  joined  the  army.  Then  I  began  to 
lose  ground.  Like  Peter,  I  denied  my  Lord,  and,  soldiers,  I  do  not  know 
but  in  some  instances,  like  Peter,  I  blasphemed.  I  said  bad  words.  I  came 
to  this  meeting.  In  this  tent  God  found  me  as  he  found  Adam  in  the  gar- 
den. He  said,  "  Soldier,  where  art  thou  ?"  Like  Adam,  I  thought  to  hide 
myself.  I  tried  to  get  away.  No  use.  Now  I  stand  up,  make  this  humble 
confession,  and  ask  you  to  pray  for  me.'  A  number  profess  to  have  expe- 
rienced religion  within  the  last  few  days,  and  still  the  work  goes  on.  The 
Christian  Commission  is  the  Church  in  the  army.  And  though  it  may  be 
attended  with  sacrifice,  all  patriotic  parties  ought  to  be  willing  to  take  their 
turn  in  serving  the  Church." 

To  his  wife  : 

"SIXTH  NEW  YORK  HEAVY  ARTILLERY,  ) 
Friday  morning,  March  n,  1864.      ) 

"  I  have  been  writing  this  morning  a  letter  to  a  wife  who  resides  at  Gar- 
rison Station,  on  the  line  of  the  Hudson  River  Railroad.  Last  night  her 
husband  was  powerfully  converted.  The  case  is  a  thrillingly  interesting 


SOLDIERS   AWAKENED   AND   CONVERTED.  269 

one.  Two  weeks  since  he  tore  himself  from  a  dear,  pious,  and  faithful  wife 
and  three  beloved  children.  His  companion  remonstrated  with  tears  in  her 
eyes.  Still  he  enlisted. 

"After  great  hardship  he  reached  this  camp  on  Wednesday  morning.  In 
the  evening  he  came  to  the  tent.  The  preached  Word  affected  his  heart, 
and  he  rose  for  prayer.  All  day  yesterday  he  was  a  subject  of  powerful 
awakening.  Last  evening,  during  our  experience-meeting,  he  rose  up  (a 
noble-looking  man),  and,  with  tears  raining  down  his  cheeks,  said, '  Oh,  fel- 
low-soldiers, how  much  I  want  to  be  saved.  All  day  I  have  been  wrestling 
with  conviction.  Now  I  yield — I  yield,  I  can  hold  out  no  more.  I  am  re- 
solved to  seek  and  serve  God.  Oh,  won't  you  please  to  pray  for  me.'  I 
dropped  on  my  knees,  and  poured  out  my  soul  in  importunate  pleading. 
All  the  soldiers  were  wonderfully  interested  and  engaged.  Prayer  finished, 
the  soldier  rose  again  and  said, '  Fellow-soldiers,  I  must  tell  you ;  I  believe 
God  has  heard  and  answered  prayer.  The  love  of  Jesus  is  shed  abroad  in 
my  heart.  I  am  happy  in  God.  I  came  to  be  a  soldier  of  the  nation — now 
I  am  in  addition  a  soldier  of  Jesus.  When  we  were  coming  here,  very  many 
of  our  company  were  sorry  that  they  had  enlisted ;  but  oh  !  if  you  will  enlist 
in  the  service  of  Jesus  you  will  never  be  sorry.'  Thereupon  another  soldier 
sprang  upon  his  feet  and  said, '  I  will  enlist  to-night.  Two  of  my  children 
are  in  heaven.  I  want  to  meet  them  there,  and  I  intend  to  march  with  that 
dear  man.  Hear,  fellow-soldiers,  I  enlist  to-night.'  I  can  give  you  no  idea 
of  the  meeting.  It  was  wonderful — glorious — surpassed  any  thing  I  ever 
witnessed.  My  own  soul  was  richly  baptized.  I  lay  down  on  my  bed  with 
a  heart  melting  in  gratitude  before  God. 

"  Yesterday  was  one  of  the  stormiest  I  ever  saw.  It  rained  violently 
and  blew  fearfully.  I  thought  again  and  again  our  tent  must  be  prostrated. 
God,  however,  watched  over  us,  and  at  the  close  of  the  day  we  were  liv- 
ing to  praise  Him.  This  morning  it  is  foggy  and  misty.  The  wind  still  lin- 
gers in  the  northeast.  I  am  sustained  by  the  conviction  that  I  am  in  the  line 
of  duty,  and  God  strengthens  and  blesses  me.  When  the  time  comes  to 
return  home,  I  will  feel  great  joy  in  turning  my  face  and  directing  my  steps 
to  the  dearest  spot  on  earth  to  me.  How  are  you  this  morning,  my  darling 
Annie  ?  and  how  are  my  beloved  children?  If  I  had  the  'wishing  cap'  or 
the  '  seven-league  boots,'  I  would  know  all  about  you  in  a  little  while.  Our 
omnipresent  and  omnipotent  Father  watches  between  us  while  we  are  ab- 
sent one  from  another.  Blessed  be  His  name.  Give  the  children  three 
kisses  apiece  for  papa.  Remember  me  affectionately  to  all  relatives  and 

friends.  Tell  sister  M to  pray  on.  God  hears  and  is  answering  her 

prayers.  Ask  all  my  friends  to  remember  me  at  a  throne  of  grace." 


270  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

To  his  wife : 

"  SIXTH  N.  Y.  HEAVY  ARTILLERY,  Saturday,  March  12,  1864. 

"  We  have  had  a  long,  dismal  rain-storm.  Yesterday  we  had  in  the  morn- 
ing a  regular  northeast  drizzle ;  in  the  afternoon  and  evening  most  violent 
thunder-showers.  This  weather  has  shut  us  up  in  our  tents,  and  left  the 
country  around  in  a  most  terrible  condition.  The  streams  are  swollen  to 
twice  or  thrice  their  original  size,  while  the  soil  is  stirred  in  its  depths.  I 
think  there  is  a  good  deal  of  solicitude  at  Washington  respecting  an  ad- 
vance of  the  army ;  but  while  the  roads  are  in  their  present  condition  the 
troops  must  almost  necessarily  continue  stationary.  This  will  harmonize 
with  the  views  of  the  soldiers,  who,  from  previous  experience,  seem  to  dread 
exposure,  especially  lying  out,  at  this  uncertain  season  of  the  year.  If  they 
remain  in  winter-quarters  ten  days  longer,  it  will  include  my  term  of  service, 
and  leave  me  free  to  return  home  without  the  necessity  of  accompanying 
them  in  their  proposed  marches.  I  think,  however,  any  movement  of  the 
army  now  would  be  a  sufficient  reason  why  I,  with  only  a  few  days  of  fur- 
lough* remaining,  should  retire  from  the  front. 

"  This  morning  the  sun  shines  brightly,  and  the  air  is  as  balmy  as  the 
breath  of  May.  I  am  quite  well,  barring  a  little  rheumatism  in  my  shoulders, 
which  makes  it  difficult  to  get  my  coat  off  and  on.  My  foot  has  been  giving 
me  a  good  deal  of  trouble.  For  two  weeks  it  has  been  discharging  more  or 
less.  I  consulted  the  surgeon  of  the  regiment ;  he  gave  me  some  lint  and 
plaster,  which  I  think  did  not  do  it  much  good.  Some  salve  I  am  using 
now  seems  to  be  healing  it  up. 

"  Our  meetings  yesterday  were  delightful.  In  the  afternoon  it  was  a  prayer 
and  experience  meeting ;  at  night  I  preached  on  the  subject  of  forgiveness 
of  sins.  The  attendance  was  large  and  the  interest  unabated.  Large  num- 
bers rose  for  prayers.  One  new  convert  got  up  last  night  and  exhorted  his 
fellow-soldiers  powerfully.  After  this  he  prayed  with  great  tenderness  and 
unction.  I  realize  in  my  own  experience  great  nearness  to  the  Saviour. 
Oh,  what  would  I  do  without  the  love  and  fellowship  of  Jesus  !  Just  now  an 
old  soldier  brings  into  our  little  tent  a  box  he  has  received  from  home.  Open- 
ing it  for  pa — apples,  chickens,  preserves,  eggs,  cakes,  etc.  Noble  fellow  !  he 
is  insisting  that  we  shall  help  ourselves.  He  would  be  glad  if  we  would 
take  half  that  he  has.  Perfectly  delighted,  he  says, '  Ain't  it  nice  !'  '  How 
thoughtful  and  kind  arc  my  family  at  home.'  Oh  !  what  a  glorious  thing  it  is 
to  be  kind  and  generous  and  noble.  So  I  have  filled  up  my  daily  epistle. 
To-morrow  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord.  Oh,  that  it  may  prove  the  best  day 
of  my  life  !" 

*  From  his  Church. 


PHYSICAL   CONDITION   AND   MINISTERIAL   SUCCESS.         271 

To  the  Rev.  John  E.  Cookman  : 

"ARTILLERY  RESERVE,  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC,  March  17, 1864. 

"  The  blessed  Bible  resting  on  my  knee  constitutes  my  desk  or  table,  and, 
in  the  absence  of  pen  and  ink,  you  will  be  satisfied  with  pencilmanship.  I 
am  getting  along  right  well  in  my  spring  campaign.  Excepting  these  sick- 
ening rheumatic  aches  I  sometimes  have  in  my  arms  and  shoulders,  keeping 
me  awake  all  night,  I  have  been  blessed  with  uninterrupted  health.  Occa- 
sionally I  get  a  horse  and  have  a  glorious  ride.  If  you  could  see  me  dart- 
ing over  these  Virginia  hills,  you  would  think  of  an  aid-de-camp  of  General 
Meade,  or  perhaps  one  of  Kilpatrick's  cavalry  in  citizen's  dress.  I  did  not 
know  I  could  ride  so  well. 

"  My  letters  come  irregularly.  More  than  a  week  has  elapsed  since  I  heard 
from  home.  But  for  Mary's  sweet,  affectionate  letter  yesterday,  I  should  be 
tempted  to  believe  some  one  is  ill.  I  have  written  enough  to  you  for  the 
present,  as  I  must  take  a  little  space  for  my  sister.  Thank  you  a  thousand 
times  for  your  affectionate  letter." 

To  his  sister,  Miss  Mary  Cookman  : 

"March  17,1864. 

"  I  do  not  know  what  I  should  have  done  yesterday  but  for  your  tender 
and  more  than  welcome  letter.  Not  having  heard  from  home  for  some 
days,  I  procured  a  horse  and  rode  like  a  courier  to  Brandy  Station,  confident 
of  a  budget.  But  for  your  kind  consideration,  I  should  have  suffered  a  great 
disappointment.  Your  gentle  words  and  sisterly  assurances  satisfied  the 
want,  and  I  cantered  back  more  leisurely  to  my  temporary  home  in  this  Vir- 
ginia wilderness. 

"  In  my  letter  to  John  I  have  written  of  my  physical  welfare.  Let  me  tell 
you  of  my  spiritual  condition  and  ministerial  success.  God  keeps  my  soul 
in  peace.  When  I  walk  these  hills  alone,  I  feel  I  am  not  alone.  My  Heav- 
enly Father  vouchsafes  me  His  presence,  and  I  am  allowed  precious  com- 
munion with  Himself.  Oh,  what  would  I  do  in  my  exile  and  loneliness  if  I 
had  not  the  love  of  Jesus  and  the  fellowship  of  the  Spirit.  Our  meetings 
are  still  largely  attended  and  decidedly  interesting.  Every  night  there  are 
some  new  cases  of  awakening  and  conversion.  On  Tuesday  evening,  be- 
sides a  number  who  rose  for  prayers,  four  noble  soldiers  stood  upon  their 
feet,  confessed  their  sinfulness,  expressed  their  purpose  to  do  better,  and 
asked  the  prayers  of  all  present ;  two  of  them  professed  to  find  Jesus  before 
the  close  of  the  meeting.  Oh,  how  much  I  wish  you  could  enjoy  one  of  our 
experience-meetings.  Last  night  an  old  regular  in  the  United  States  service 


272  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

rose,  and  with  a  face  illumined  with  celestial  sunshine,  he  told  of  his  love 
for  Jesus  and  his  hope  of  heaven. 

"  My  labors  in  the  field  are  nearly  concluded.  Next  Monday,  God  will- 
ing, I  shall  start  for  Washington,  then  home  again.  My  home  and  its  rela- 
tions never  seemed  more  attractive  or  lovely  than  now.  How  much  I  praise 
God  that  the  lines  have  fallen  unto  me  in  such  pleasant  places.  May  I  say 
that  your  sweet  love  and  sisterly  devotion  are  highly  appreciated  and  fully 
reciprocated  by  your  unworthy  brother.  I  feel  that  I  do  not  deserve  the 
confidence  and  affection  with  which  my  kindred  and  friends  seem  to  regard 
me.  This,  with  all  my  other  blessings,  is  of  the  Lord,  and  to  Him  shall  be 
the  praise  and  glory.  Now  I  must  close.  Receive  the  assurance  of  the  un- 
dying love  of  your  brother." 

To  his  mother,  Mrs.  Mary  Cookman  : 

"March  17,1864. 

"  Last,  but  not  least,  my  long  letter  would  not  be  complete  if  you  were 
overlooked,  but  that  is  farthest  from  my  thoughts.  You  have  been  with  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  for  nearly  three  weeks — not  in  person,  but  in  the  af- 
fectionate remembrance,  aye,  enshrined  in  the  heart  of  your  eldest  child.  I 
am  delighted  to  know  that  you  are  maternally  watching  over  my  precious 
ones  at  home.  Take  good  care  of  them,  and,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  we 
will  soon  resume  our  pleasant  associations  in  New  York.  Believe  me  your 
devotedly  attached  son." 

To  his  sons,  Bruner,  George,  and  Frank : 

"ARTILLERY  RESERVE,  March  19, 1864. 

"  This  is  your  letter  from  your  papa.  A  little  rough  stool  is  my  table, 
but  it  does  almost  as  well  as  my  study  desks.  How  very  often  I  think 
about  you,  my  dear  boys.  When  I  see  the  soldiers  drawn  up  in  their  even- 
ing parade  and  hear  the  drums  beat,  then  I  think  about  you  and  wish  you 
were  here  to  look  upon  these  stirring  scenes.  When  I  get  astride  of  a  nice 
horse  I  think  about  you,  and  wish  you  were  here  to  have  a  ride.  When  I 
lie  upon  my  blanket  at  night  I  think  about  you,  and  pray  our  kind  Heavenly 
Father  to  take  good  care  of  you  during  my  absence. 

"  Yesterday  afternoon  we  had  a  great  ' scare.''  Word  came  that  the  reb- 
els were  advancing  upon  us.  Sure  enough,  they  were  crossing  the  Rapidan 
River,  the  dividing  line  between  the  two  armies.  Orders  came  from  head- 
quarters to  be  ready  to  march  at  a  moment's  notice.  Accordingly  the  sol- 
diers packed  their  knapsacks,  filled  their  haversacks  with  three  days'  rations, 
and  for  a  while  all  was  excitement.  Pa  thought  he  was  in  for  it,  but  in  God 


RETURNS    FROM    THE   ARMY.  273 

was  his  trust.  About  seven  o'clock  the  order  to  march  was  recalled.  This 
morning  the  regiment  is  all  ready.  While  I  write  fighting  is  going  on.  We 
can  distinctly  hear  the  cannons  roar  in  the  distance.  Pa  had  almost  made 
up  his  mind  to  leave  this  morning  for  Washington,  but  he  thought, '  No,  Mon- 
day is  my  time,  and  I  will  wait  and  trust  in  my  Heavenly  Father,  who  has 
always  taken  such  good  care  of  me.'  How  blessed  it  is,  my  boys,  to  love 
God  and  feel  that  He  loves  us.  Then  we  are  safe  any  where.  I  want  you  all 
to  be  good,  and  then  all  will  be  well. 

"  How  sorry  I  was  to  hear  of  the  accident  which  befell  your  little  friend 

M S .     Almost  killed !     How  near  he  went  to  heaven  or  to  hell ! 

I  hope  the  former,  for  I  trust  he  is  trying,  and  now  will  try  more  than  ever 
to  be  good.  I  want  my  boys  to  give  God  their  hearts,  so  that  if  they  sud- 
denly die  we  may  be  able  to  say  that  they  have  certainly  gone  to  heaven. 
Tell  your  precious  mamma  that  I  received  a  letter  from  her  yesterday  after- 
noon. Oh,  how  glad  I  was  to  get  it !  Tell  your  dear  grandma,  too,  how 
.much  obliged  I  am  for  her  sweet  letter.  Will  you  be  glad  to  see  me  again  ? 
Pa  feels  as  if  he  would  give  all  of  this  State  of  Virginia  to  be  with  his  family 
again.  If  all  is  well,  I  hope  this  time  next  Saturday  to  sit  down  in  No.  263 
West  Thirty -fourth  Street.  But  if  the  Rebels  should  get  me,  it  will  only  be 
a  little  longer.  Let  us  pray  our  Heavenly  Father,  if  He  wills,  to  prevent  this. 
Now,  after  you  read  this  letter,  go  every  one  of  you  and  give  mamma  one  of 
your  sweetest  kisses,  and  tell  her  that  it  is  straight  from  pa.  Then  go  to  lit- 
tle Beck  and  little  Mamy,  and  give  them  each  a  nice  kiss ;  then  kiss  one 

another,  then  kiss  sister  M ,  then  grandma,  aunt  Mary,  and  uncle  John. 

That's  all." 

To  his  wife : 

"COLUMBIA,  Wednesday,  March  23,  1864. 

"I  am  thus  far  on  my  way  home.  Yesterday  I  left  Washington  in  the 
seven  A.M.  train,  passed  through  Baltimore,  and  reached  Philadelphia  at  two 
o'clock.  Had  only  time  to  hurry  from  one  depot  to  the  other,  and  at  half- 
past  two  P.M.  started  for  Columbia.  Arrived  at  the  old  homestead  about 
seven  o'clock.  Found  the  family  in  the  sitting-room,  gathered  around  the 
little  table.  There  was  our  lovely  little  daughter,  with  her  calm  blue  eyes 
and  gentle,  quiet  face,  and  alongside  little  '  Streak  of  Sunshine,'  with  cheeks 
like  roses  in  full  bloom.  I  was  an  unexpected  but  most  welcome  visitor. 
The  children  clambered  up  on  my  knees,  and  I  was  one  of  the  happiest  men 
in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Sis  and  Will  are  very  well  and  very  happy. 
This  morning  the  first  thing  my  door  was  pushed  open,  and  a  sweet  little 
voice  said, '  Papa,  it  is  time  to  get  up.'  I  had  had  the  best  night's  rest  since 

M   2 


274  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   CCOKMAN. 

I  left  home.  Looking  out  from  the  bed-clothes  I  saw  a  perfect  little  face. 
Will  never  looked  prettier.  He  kept  faithful  watch  while  I  dressed,  and 
then  acted  as  my  escort  down  stairs.  Sister  is  full  of  love,  but  not  any  more 
than  her  dear  papa.  With  the  exception  of  Davis,  the  family  are  very  well. 
The  children  seem  anxious  to  return  with  papa  to  New  York.  The  grand- 
parents and  the  aunt  evidently  would  like  to  keep  them  longer  in  Columbia. 
It  is  in  my  heart  to  gratify  the  little  folks  and  the  old  folks  both,  and  I  must 
wait  for  to-morrow  to  decide  what  is  best. 

"On  Monday  evening  I  received  a  Washington  letter  from  yourself,  Mary, 
G.  S.  Hare,  and  Southerland.  Brother  E.  Scott  was  very  fraternal.  I  pre- 
ferred to  stay  with  him  rather  than  go  by  urgent  invitation  to  the  hospitable 
home  of  my  old  friend  and  class-leader,  Charles  Lane.  On  my  arrival  in 
Columbia,  I  received  another  letter  from  yourself.  Tharks  for  these  little 
messengers  from  home.  I  hope  to  see  you  on  Friday.  To-morrow  morn- 
ing I  propose  to  start  for  Philadelphia,  spend  the  afternoon  in  that  city,  and 
on  Friday  turn  my  face  New-York-ward.  Concerning  appointments  on  the. 
Sabbath,  I  would  very  gladly  hear  rather  than  be  heard — but  whether  my 
people  would  acquiesce,  I  am  not  so  sure.  This  I  must  leave  until  my  re- 
turn." 

It  was  always  a  great  trial  to  Mr.  Cookman  to  be  separated 
from  his  family.  He  had  scarcely  got  settled  upon  his  return 
from  the  army,  when  the  physical  condition  of  his  children  re- 
quired that  some  of  them,  at  least,  should  be  taken  to  the  home- 
stead on  the  banks  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  the  others  with  the 
.mother  soon  followed.  We  are  indebted,  however,  to  these 
separations  for  those  familiar  and  tender  letters  to  his  wife 
and  children  which  reveal  so  charmingly  the  family  side  of  his 
character. 

To  his  sons  George  and  Frank  : 

"  NEW  YORK,  June  24,  1864. 

"  You  must  not  think  that  pa  has  forgotten  you  because  he  has  neglected 
to  write  you  a  letter.  Every  day  he  thinks  about  his  little  George  and 
Frank,  and  wonders  how  they  are  getting  along.  I  hope  that  you  are  very 
obedient  and  kind  to  aunt  Beckic  and  grandma,  and  all  the  rest.  I  trust 
that  you  never  quarrel  with  one  another.  Remember,  little  brothers  should 
be  always  full  of  love.  You  must  not  forget  your  prayers  morning  and  even- 
ing. Never  say  bad  words  or  associate  with  bad  boys.  If  you  hear  a  boy 
swear,  turn  your  back  upon  him,  and  say  he  can  not  be  my  playmate  or 


LOVING   WORDS   TO    HIS   CHILDREN.  275 

companion  any  longer.  Always  go  to  Sunday-school,  and  remember  to  be- 
have well  in  church.  People  around  are  looking  at  you,  and  expect  good 
conduct  from  the  sons  of  a  minister.  I  am  pleased  to  know  that  you  go  to 
school  every  day,  and  go  so  cheerfully.  Give  attention  to  your  lessons,  and 
learn  as  much  and  as  fast  as  you  can.  Be  very  attentive  and  kind  to  uncle 
Cyrus.  Do  not  climb  up  on  him  as  you  used  to  do,  for  that  might  give  him 
pain  in  his  wound.  Run  his  errands.  Do  every  thing  you  can  to  make  him 
happy,  for  you  know  he  is  your  noble,  brave  soldier  uncle.  When  you  are 
large  boys  or  big  men  you  will  refer  with  pride  to  your  patriot  uncle,  who 
was  wounded  in  the  service  of  his  country. 

"  Yesterday  -we — that  is,  ma,  Brune,  Sis,  Will,  and  myself — accompanied  the 
Seventh  Avenue  Sabbath-school  on  their  excursion  to  Staten  Island.  The 
day  was  warm,  but  we  had  a  real  nice  time.  Swings,  football,  Copenhagen, 
and  other  sports  interested  the  little  folks.  No  accident  occurred,  and  we 
returned  to  the  city  about  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening.  I  suppose  you  would 
like  to  know  about  your  little  brothers  and  sisters.  Well,  Brune  is  still  very 
pale  and  thin,  but  I  think  a  little  better  than  he  was.  He  is  very  anxious 
for  the  time  to  come  when  we  shall  go  to  Columbia,  for  he  wants  very  much 
to  see  his  little  brothers  again.  Sister  has  been  sick,  but  is  better  again.  She 
has  had  her  large  doll  fixed  up,  and  is  quite  proud  of  it.  She  is  a  dear  little 
girl.  Will  is  still  a  little  'streak  of  sunshine' — is  as  fond  of  papa's  study  as 
ever.  Both  he  and  Sis  have  new  porte-monnaies.  \Vill  has  about  twelve 
cents,  and  Sis  six  He  is  perfectly  delighted  with  his  treasure.  Beck  Evans 
has  taken  a  deep  cold,  which  has  fallen  in  her  eyes.  Poor  dear  little  girl,  she 
has  all  kinds  of  ailments  and  afflictions,  but  notwithstanding  is  very  '  weenty.' 
Little  Mary  is  a  honey-drop.  Kisses  sweeter  than  ever.  Now,  Frank,  don't 
your  mouth  water  for  a  kiss  ?  On  the  second  Sabbath  of  July  (loth)  I 
expect  to  be  in  Harrisburg.  Perhaps  some  time  the  week  before  I  will 
bring  ma  and  the  rest  to  Columbia  ?  Will  you  be  glad  to  see  us  ?  Now 
my  letter  is  full.  Good-bye.  Give  our  love  to  all.  Be  good  boys." 

To  his  son  Willie : 

"NEW  YORK,  July  19, 1864. 

"  Did  you  ever  receive  a  letter  before  ?  Now  remember  that  this  is  all 
yours,  so  that  when  mamma  has  read  it  to  you,  you  can  fold  it  up  and  put 
it  in  the  envelop  again,  and  carry  it  about  in  your  pocket,  and  say  '  This  is 
papa's  letter  to  "  Little  Sunshine." '  Won't  that  be  splendid  ?  How  papa 
misses  his  little  boy.  The  study  is  so  quiet  now ;  the  chairs  keep  in  their 
places ;  the  old  valise  stays  in  the  cupboard ;  no  ivhoop  to  tell  that  the  loco- 
motive is  coming ;  no  invitation  to  go  in  the  cars  to  Columbia ;  nobody 


276  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

asks  for  my  lead-pencil  now ;  or  for  a  sheet  of  -white  paper  now ;  or  for  a 
book  -with  pictures  in  now.  When  papa  sits  down  at  the  table  he  is  all 
alone.  No  little  darling  Will  to  sit  close  alongside  and  wait  for  his  buttered 
bread,  or  perhaps  for  a  little  sip  of  papa's  coffee,  which  you  know  is  par- 
ticularly nice.  Don't  you  pity  poor  papa  ?  Never  mind.  It  won't  be  long. 
Two  or  three  weeks,  and  then  pa  will  get  in  the  steam-cars  again.  The 
old  ' locomoshs'1  will  go  'chu!  chu !  chu!'  and  after  a  while  he  will  come 
to  Columbia.  Then  he  will  look  out  of  the  car  window,  and  there  will  be 
bright-eyed  little  Willie  on  the  fence  waving  his  white  handkerchief,  shout- 
ing, '  Hurrah,  boys  !  hurrah  !  here  comes  my  precious  papa  !'  Won't  that 
be  splendid?  But  I  hear  my  little  boy  say,  'What  will  you  bring  me?' 
Kisses — ever  so  many  sugar-candy  kisses.  Don't  you  love  my  kisses  ?  I 
am  sure  I  love  yours.  I  wish  you  were  here  to  give  me  one  of  those  real, 
ripe,  sweet,  juicy  kisses  that  grow  on  your  little  red  lips.  Tell  mamma  that 
papa  is  right  well.  He  has  just  been  writing  letters  to  uncle  Frank  and 
Edmund  Y .  This  afternoon  he  expects  to  attend  Dr.  Palmer's  meet- 
ing, and  perhaps  afterward  ride  out  to  Harlem  and  see  grandma.  Now,  if 
little  '  Streak  of  Sunshine '  was  along,  we  would  go  on  board  the  Tiger  Lily, 
and  sail  as  far  as  High  Bridge.  Wouldn't  that  be  splendid  ?  I  hope  that 
while  I  am  away  you  will  be  a  first-rate  boy.  Never  strike  your  dear  little 
sister — no,  indeed  !  Never  quarrel  with  your  little  brothers,  or  pout  or  be 
disobedient  to  your  precious  mamma.  At  the  table  do  you  eat  with  your 
fingers  ? — no,  indeed,  but  with  your  fork.  Did  you  know  it  ?  William  Wil- 
berforce  Cookman  is  a  perfect  little  gentleman.  When  I  get  back  to  Co- 
lumbia, I  will  ask  mamma  and  aunt  Beckie  and  grandma,  and  if  they  say 
you  have  been  a  good  boy,  then  you  shall  have  one  of  those  nice,  new,  beau- 
tiful two-cent  pieces.  Now  don't  you  laugh — it  is  so.  I  will  put  it  in  that 
fat  little  hand,  and  you  shall  feel — '  it  is  mine."1  Now  I  must  close  Willie's 
letter.  When  mamma  gets  through  reading  it,  then  give  her  a  splendid 
kiss,  and  tell  her  that  is  from  papa ;  and  then  go  all  around  and  give  every 
one  one  of  your  best,  and  tell  them  all  it  is  from  your  dear  pa.  Good-bye, 
my  little  darling." 

To  his  wife : 

"NEW  YORK,  10  o'clock, Thursday  night,  1864. 

"  I  have  just  returned  from  Dr.  Stryker's  church.  The  national  fast-day 
is  over.  It  has  for  me  been  eminently  profitable.  With  considerable  sac- 
rifice and  self-denial,  I  remained  to  supervise  these  services,  and  I  have 
been  richly  recompensed  in  my  own  experience.  In  the  morning  we  had 
Dr.  Strykcr,  who  preached  an  excellent  sermon  to  a  large  congregation.  I 


BRIGHT   LOOKS   FROM   A   SICK-ROOM.  277 

prayed  and  read  the  Scriptures.  It  was  a  delightful  service.  In  the  after- 
noon, at  four  o'clock,  I  had  the  large  Bible-class  room  entirely  filled  (Mrs. 

D among  the  rest),  and  a  precious  hour  it  proved.     In  the  evening  I 

held  forth  in  an  address  in  Mr.  Stryker's  church.  The  audience-room  was 
comfortably  filled,  and  I  enjoyed  rather  more  than  ordinary  freedom  in  un- 
folding our  duties  and  hopes  as  citizens  in  the  present  important  and  fearful 
crisis.  To-morrow  morning  early  I  expect  to  start  for  Poughkeepsie,  where 
I  will  probably  spend  the  day.  Then  Saturday,  then  Sunday,  then  Mon- 
day, and,  if  the  Lord  will,  my  darling  wife  and  beloved  children.  In  patience 
I  must  possess  my  soul." 

The  following  brief  note  affords  evidence  of  the  scrupulous 
fidelity  with  which  Mr.  Cookman  always  regarded  the  expecta- 
tions of  the  children  under  his  pastoral  care. 

To  Mrs.  W.  B.  Skidmore  : 

"December  27,  1864. 

"  We  exceedingly  regret  that  our  Sabbath-school  festival,  which  occurs 
this  evening,  will  oblige  us  to  ask  a  postponement  of  your  visit  until  Thurs- 
day. The  little  ones,  and  larger  ones  too,  expect  to  find  us  in  the  midst  of 
our  flock.  We  hope,  however,  Providence  permitting,  to  enjoy  your  society 

on  Thursday  evening.     Will  you  be  kind  enough  to  advise  Sister  B of 

this  change  ?  We  hope  it  is  not  too  late  to  wish  you  a  -very  happy  Christ- 
mas— happy  in  its  memories,  in  its  present  experiences,  and  in  its  sweet 
hopes  of  seeing  for  ourselves  that  '  blessed  Jesus '  whose  birth  we  so  joy- 
ously commemorate." 

To  the  Friday-afternoon  meeting : 

"TRINITY  PARSONAGE,  January  27, 1865. 

"  I  should  exceedingly  delight  to  share  with  you  the  privileges  of  the 
Friday-afternoon  meeting.  As  this  is  deemed  impracticable,  may  I  speak  to 
you  from  the  furnace  of  affliction — not  a  seven  times  heated  furnace,  never- 
theless a  furnace  signalized  by  the  presence  of  the  Fourth,  nay,  the  First, 
the  fairest  among  ten  thousand,  and  the  One  altogether  lovely. 

"  Since  the  last  Sabbath  I  have  been  realizing  very  specially  the  precious- 
ness  of  perfect  love.  In  the  midst  of  pain  and  physical  prostration,  I  have 
found  beneath  and  around  me  the  Everlasting  Arms,  while,  as  I  have  glanced 
into  the  future,  I  have  not  been  startled  or  stirred  by  a  single  doubt  or  fear. 
Oh,  how  sweet  has  been  the  conviction  !  I  have  nothing  to  do  now — all 
has  been  done  by  my  blessed  Saviour.  I  stand  complete  in  Him.  My  heart 


278  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

overflows  with  gratitude  to  the  blessed  Holy  Spirit  that  has  inducted  me 
into  the  belief  and  experience  of  the  doctrine  of  Christian  holiness — a  doc- 
trine that  is  so  sweet  and  satisfying  both  in  sickness  and  in  health.  From 
this  time  I  feel  as  if  I  should  hold  it  more  firmly,  preach  it  more  faithfully, 
love  it  more  fully,  labor  for  it  more  zealously. 

"  Dear  friends,  be  assured  of  my  Christian  love.  Divinity,  as  I  feel,  is  the 
bond  which  unites  our  hearts  together.  We  are  one  in  Christ  Jesus.  Let 
us  be  faithful,  that  our  precious  spiritual  privileges  may  be  reduplicated  on 
the  other  side  of  Jordan,  where,  with  all  the  sanctified,  we  will  eternally 
sing  '  Glory  to  the  Lamb  !'  Will  you  not  sing  it  this  afternoon  ?  Sing  it 
for  me.  I  will  join  your  chorus  in  my  sick-room.  You  will  not  hear  me, 
but  Jesus  will.  Let  us  fill  his  ear  with  our  songs,  and  his  heart  with  our  joy." 

To  the  Friday-afternoon  meeting : 

"April  7,1865. 

"  I  very  much  regret  my  inability  to  be  with  you  this  afternoon.  It  is  for 
me  a  serious  disappointment.  I  must,  however,  yield  to  the  wishes  of  a 
dear  friend,  and  accompany  the  remains  of  his  only  child  to  their  last  rest- 
ing-place. Suffer  just  one  word  of  testimony — My  mercies  abound.  My 
chief,  my  overshadowing  mercy  is  Jesus,  my  sanctification.  He  has  been  un- 
speakably precious  during  the  present  week.  Oh,  how  delighted  I  should 
be  to  sit  in  the  midst  of  you  this  afternoon,  and  hear  you  again  sing  His 
praise,  and  speak  of  His  love,  and  implore  His  presence  and  blessing !  This 
can  not  be;  nevertheless  we  will  praise  Him  for  all  that  is  past,  and  trust 
Him  for  all  that  is  to  come.  God  bless  you  all  with  an  unprecedented 
blessing.  In  haste." 

Before  leaving  Trinity,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cookman  suffered  a 
deep  affliction  in  the  death  of  little  Rebecca,  a  child  three 
years  and  six  months  old.  She  was  absent  from  home  when 
she  died.  This  was  the  first  time  the  Destroyer  had  invaded 
their  family  circle.  The  father  thus  touchingly  alludes  to  their 
bereavement. 

To  Mrs.  Skidmore : 

"  Monday  evening,  April  10,  1865. 

"  We  have  this  afternoon  received  a  telegram  acquainting  us  with  the 
death  of  our  dear  little  daughter  Rebecca.  She  breathed  her  last  to-day 
about  half-past  twelve.  We  were  exceedingly  shocked  at  the  announce- 
ment, for,  although  we  had  heard  of  her  sickness,  we  had  no  idea  that  she  was 


DEATH   OF    LITTLE   REBECCA.  279 

seriously  or  dangerously  ill.  To-morrow  morning  we  leave  for  Columbia. 
The  little  representative  of  Central  Church  is  the  first  taken  from  our  do- 
mestic circle.  God  has  constituted  her  a  glorified  link  to  unite  Central 
Church  in  our  thoughts  to  Heaven.  OhTTiow  real  and  blessed  the  eternal 
home  seems  this  evening  !  My  dear  wife  is  overwhelmed  with  sorrow,  nev- 
ertheless she  submits  uncomplainingly  to  this  providence  of  our  faithful 
God. 

"  We  need  not  solicit  your  sympathies  and  prayers,  for  four  years  of  inti- 
mate Christian  friendship  assures  us  that  your  large,  noble,  and  affectionate 
heart  will  be  afflicted  in  our  affliction.  God  bless  you  forever  for  your  kind- 
ness to  and  love  for  two  of  His  umvorthiest  servants.  Of  course  we  can 
not  enjoy  the  congenial  circle  that  will  be  associated  at  your  hospitable 
home  on  Wednesday  evening." 

To  his  sister,  Miss  Mary  Cookman  : 

"  We  have  just  been  placing  in  the  cold  grave  another  beautiful  gem,  to 
develop  and  re-appear  in  the  promised  resurrection.  Our  sweet  little  Re- 
becca is  now  in  the  special  keeping  of  Him  who  looks  down  and  watches 
all  her  dust  till  He  shall  bid  it  rise.  I  have  many  times  sought  to  comfort 
bereaved  parents.  God,  by  this  providence,  has  been  better  preparing  me 
for  this  part  of  my  ministerial  duty.  Our  precious  darling  was  incompara- 
bly more  beautiful  in  death  than  during  life.  Losing  all  her  baby-like  look, 
she  presented  the  appearance  of  a  lovely  little  girl — her  features  regular  and 
perfect,  her  face  little  wasted,  and  indescribably  sweet  in  its  expression ; 
indeed,  her  exceeding  beauty  in  death  was  a  matter  of  universal  remark.  I 
felt  to-day  what  a  trial  it  is  to  bury  one  who  is  '  bone  of  your  bone  and  flesh 
of  your  flesh.' 

"  Returning  from  the  grave,  the  heart-stricken  mother  could  not  restrain 
the  audible  '  Farewell,  my  precious  darling  !'  I  thought,  '  Yes,  until  we 
meet  again  in  a  tearless  and  deathless  realm.'  Oh,  how  precious  the  word 
4  Comforter '  is  to  me  this  afternoon  !  The  blessed  Third  Person  comes  un- 
usually near,  and  comforts  me  with  the  comfort  of  God.  I  have  no  doubt 
that  this  experience  is  in  answer  to  the  prayers  of  those  who  are  very  dear 
to  me." 

Thus  closed  the  pastorate  at  Trinity,  and  with  it  Mr.  Cook- 
man's  ministry  in  New  York.  The  General  Conference,  at  its 
session  of  1864,  in  Philadelphia,  had  extended  the  time  that  a 
minister  could  be  appointed  to  any  one  charge  from  two  to 
three  successive  years ;  but,  for  reasons  which  seemed  sufficient 


280  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

to  all  concerned,  he  declined  a  re-appointment  for  the  third 
year,  and  accepted  a  pressing  invitation  to  return  to  Philadel- 
phia. He  and  the  Trinity  people  parted  on  the  most  agreeable 
terms,  and  among  them  to  this  day  no  name  is  more  revered 
for  the  fragrant  memories  which  cluster  about  it  than  his. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

RETURN   TO   PHILADELPHIA. PASTORATE    OF   THE   SPRING   GAR- 
DEN   STREET   CHURCH. — AMONG   THE   CHILDREN. 

THE  immediate  cause  of  the  transfer  of  Mr.  Cookman  again 
(1865)  to  tne  Philadelphia  Conference  so  soon  after  leaving  it 
for  New  York,  was  that  his  services  were  earnestly  sought  for 
the  new  church  which  had  been  erected  in  Philadelphia  on 
Spring  Garden  Street.  Several  of  his  former  parishioners  at 
Green  Street  were  active  men  in  erecting  the  new  church,  and 
they  felt  that  no  one  was  so  well  qualified  to  build  up  the  new 
charge,  to  give  it  consistency  and  stability,  as  their  former  be- 
loved pastor. 

As  explanatory  of  his  views  and  feelings  upon  this  and  like 
occasions,  I  give  the  correspondence  between  the  committee 
of  the  Spring  Garden  Street  Church  and  himself  in  relation  to 
the  matter. 

Messrs.  A. W.  Rand,  George  Milliken,  Thomas  P.Campbell, 
John  W.  Clark,  and  Charles  B.  Barrett,  Committee,  to  the  Rev. 
Alfred  Cookman : 

"  SPRING  GARDEN  STREET  CHURCH,  PHILADELPHIA,  ) 
September  13,  1864.      ) 

"  Inasmuch  as  the  time  is  rapidly  approaching  when  it  must  be  deter- 
mined who  shall  be  our  next  pastor,  we  all  naturally  feel  very  solicitous  that 
he  who  shall  be  sent  to  us  shall  be  one  who  will  not  only  be  acceptable  to  the 
people,  but  who  will,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  be  the  means  of  advancing 
and  building  up  the  spiritual  and  temporal  interests  of  our  Church. 

"  We  believe  that^w*  possess  all  the  qualifications  to  make  you  thus  em- 
inently useful  among  us ;  and  at  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  held 
last  evening,  we  were  appointed  a  committee  to  confer  with  you  and  solicit 
your  advice. 


282  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  Are  you  aware  of  any  obstacles  which  would  be  likely  to  prevent  our 
consummating  an  arrangement  with  you  ?  Have  you  any  personal  objections 
to  serving  us  in  the  capacity  of  pastor  ? 

"  We  take  leave  to  add  that  we  believe  there  is  but  one  wish  and  opinion 
in  the  Church  and  congregation  upon  this  subject,  and  shall  await  your  an- 
swer with  very  great  interest." 

The  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman  to  Messrs.  Charles  B.  Barrett,  A. 
W.  Rand,  and  others  : 

"  NEW  YORK,  September  30,  1864. 

"I  am  in  receipt  of  your  official  communication.  It  came  perhaps  a  fort- 
night since,  and  should  have  been  answered  sooner,  but  indeed  I  felt  as  if  I 
wanted  a  little  time  for  careful  thought  and  special  prayer  respecting  a  step 
of  this  kind.  The  changes  of  a  Methodist  itinerant  are  so  frequent  and  nec- 
essary that  we  are  apt  to  think  he  need  not  have  much  difficulty  in  deciding 
such  matters — but  in  my  own  case  (and  I  suppose  this  is  a  general  experi- 
ence) I  am  so  painfully  anxious  to  keep  in  my  providential  path  that  I  often 
hesitate,  wanting  to  be  fully  persuaded  in  my  own  mind.  You  ask  for  a  full 
expression  of  my  views  and  feelings  respecting  the  pastorate  of  your  Church 
for  the  next  Conference  year. 

"  I  reply  frankly  and  sincerely,  there  is  no  unwillingness  in  my  own  mind 
to  return  to  Philadelphia,  and  serve  you  in  the  relation  referred  to.  Many, 
perhaps  most  of  your  members,  are  dear  friends,  with  whom  I  have  been 
pleasantly  situated  in  past  years.  They  know  that  I  am  only  a  simple,  plain, 
and,  I  hope,  faithful  minister  of  Jesus  Christ;  and  if  they  could  be  satisfied 
with  me,  a  very  ordinary  servant  of  the  Church,  I  certainly  ought  to  be 
more  than  satisfied  with  them — so  true  and  liberal,  sympathizing  and  affec- 
tionate. These  are  my  feelings. 

"  Now  for  my  circumstances.  Next  spring  I  shall  have  been  at  Trinity, 
my  present  charge,  two  years.  A  number  of  the  friends  have  expressed  the 
desire  and  expectation  that  I  remain  with  them  the  third  year.  My  presid- 
ing elder  has  conversed  with  me  on  the  subject,  saying  that  while  he  will 
not  throw  a  difficulty  in  my  way  if  I  conclude  to  return  to  Philadelphia,  still 
he  very  much  hopes  that  I  will  remain  in  the  New  York  Conference. 
Thinking  that  the  old  two-years'  law  might  be  the  rule  in  the  matter  of  ap- 
pointments next  spring,  the  friends  at  Poughkeepsie  have  approached  me 
on  the  subject  of  their  next  pastorate.  Seventh  Street,  New  York,  and 
Hanson  Place,  Brooklyn,  have  also  spoken  to  me  for  next  year.  I  refer  to 
these  matters  not,  of  course,  to  show  that  my  humble  labors  are  in  demand, 
but  to  explain  my  perplexity  in  deciding  what  is  my  providential  path,  and 


WELCOME   AT   THE   PHILADELPHIA   CONFERENCE.  283 

also  to  illustrate  what  kind  feelings  I  must  break  through  in  leaving  this 
part  of  the  work. 

"  Now  what  shall  I  do  ?  I  wish  to  do  right.  Your  city  is  a  desirable 
place  of  residence  for  me.  Your  Conference  is  my  cradle  Conference. 
Your  Church  will  be  one  of  the  most  pleasant  appointments  in  the  connec- 
tion— a  thousand  times  better  than  I  deserve.  These  are  interesting,  and 
yet  to  me  minor  matters.  I  think  my  greatest  concern  is  respecting  my 
usefulness.  Can  I  accomplish  most  for  Christ  and  the  Church  in  the  Phil- 
adelphia or  New  York  Conference  ?  I  place  rnyself  in  your  hands  and  with 
the  authorities  of  the  Church.  Bishop  Simpson  is  among  you,  and,  while 
he  is  concerned  for  the  success  of  your  enterprise,  I  believe  he  is  interested 
for  me.  He  has  always  allowed  me  to  regard  him  with  the  love  and  ap- 
proach him  with  the  confidence  of  a  son  ;  and  I  shall  respect  and  be  satis- 
fied with  his  decision. 

"  When  any  definite  conclusion  is  reached  let  me  know,  for  it  will  be  but 
just  to  advise  my  Trinity  friends,  who  will  thus  have  time  to  make  their  ar- 
rangements for  the  next  Conference  year. 

"  I  have  written  very  freely  and  frankly.  And  now,  thanking  you  for  this 
most  emphatic  and  practical  expression  of  your  kindness  and  confidence,  al- 
low me  to  subscribe  myself  as  ever  your  brother  in  the  blessed  Jesus." 

The  authorities  having  determined  upon  Mr.  Cookman's 
transfer  to  Philadelphia,  he  hastened  to  the  session  of  his  old 
Conference  at  Harrisburg.  Thence  he  wrote  to  his  wife : 

"  HARRISBURG,  March,  1865. 

"  I  would  have  written  yesterday,  but  duties  multiplied,  engrossing  all  my 
time ;  among  the  rest  the  responsibility  and  trial  of  preaching  last  night. 
Oh  !  it  was  a  heavy  burden,  but  I  took  it  up  in  the  name  of  my  Master,  and 
was  helped.  I  feel  very  humble  and  quiet  and  grateful  this  morning.  We 
have  commenced  an  eight  o'clock  prayer-meeting  this  morning ;  the  season 
was  very  blessed.  You  will  be  interested  in  every  step  of  my  progress,  and 
so  I  will  go  back.  On  Tuesday  night  I  left  Philadelphia  with  quite  a  num- 
ber of  ministerial  brethren.  Comfortably  ensconced  in  a  berth  of  the  sleep- 
ing-car, I  dozed  until  Harrisburg  was  announced ;  proceeding  to  our  friend 
C.'s,  I  met  a  most  affectionate  reception.  The  brethren  at  Conference 
were  very  cordial ;  business  was  rapidly  dispatched,  and  a  place  assigned 
me  on  one  or  two  committees,  and  at  the  close  of  the  morning  session  my 
appointment  for  evening  was  announced.  During  the  day  I  met  friends  in 
every  direction  ;  they  were  as  cordial  as  though  I  had  been  their  pastor  last 
year.  God  has  given  us  a  strong  hold  upon  the  hearts  of  this  people. 


284  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  The  duty  of  preaching  last  night  involved  a  terrible  trial.  I  would  rather 
have  taken  severe  lashings  ;  but  I  dared  not  refuse — it  seemed  to  me  that  it 
might  be  in  the  order  of  God ;  and  what  is  my  will  in  comparison  with  the 
Divine  will.  My  Heavenly  Father  knows  how  simple  and  pure  was  my  mo- 
tive. I  had  a  good  time — the  brethren  say  great  good  was  accomplished ; 
but  this  morning  I  feel  like  a  whipped  child,  indisposed  to  look  any  body  in 
the  face.  My  soul,  however,  is  full  of  tender  love  for  Jesus  ;  I  cling  to  Him 
with  increasing  affection  and  devotion.  '  Happy,  if  Thou,  my  Lord,  approve.' 
Pray  for  me  :  I  want  that  this  Conference  time  may  be  a  Pentecostal  season 
for  us  all." 

Mr.  Cookman's  welcome  was,  if  possible,  even  heartier  than 
on  the  occasion  of  his  return  from  Pittsburgh.  It  is  doubtful 
if  any  friends  are  like  the  heart's  first  friends.  His  early  asso- 
ciates were  now  more  deeply  attached  to  him  than  ever  before. 
His  re-entrance  into  their  ranks  was  hailed  with  delight ;  and 
he,  as  was  natural,  felt  again  the  tranquilizing  sense  of  home, 
which  gave  him  a  new  spring  for  his  chosen  work.  The  recep- 
tion which  the  people  would  give  him  could  not  be  questioned 
in  view  of  his  popularity  when  stationed  in  the  city,  and  the 
enthusiastic  greetings  which  always  met  him  on  his  occasional 
visits.  His  brother  George  wrote  in  the  winter  of  1863  to  his 
mother  after  one  of  these  brief  sojourns  : 

"  We  enjoyed  Alfred's  visit  hugely.  He  is  a  prime  fellow, 
and  his  trip  over  here  was  productive  of  great  good.  I  never 
saw  such  a  sight  as  the  Monday  evening  he  preached  at  Green 
Street — altar  crowded,  and  some  thirty  or  forty  in  the  congre- 
gation rose  for  prayers.  We  are  going  to  have  him  back  to 
Philadelphia  some  of  these  days." 

The  Spring  Garden  charge  presented  the  most  favorable  con- 
ditions for  Mr.  Cookman's  resumption  of  the  Christian  ministry 
as  a  pastor  in  the  great  city  of  the  Keystone  State.  The  new, 
capacious,  and  elegant  church,  with  every  modern  facility  for 
effective  Church  work,  was  admirably  located  to  accommodate 
the  growing  population  in  the  north-west  section  of  the  city. 
It  was  thoroughly  manned  by  official  boards  full  of  energy,  zeal, 


AMONG   THE    CHILDREN.  285 

and  liberality.  Its  success  was  assured  from  the  beginning. 
The  new  pastor's  name  was  a  tower  of  strength.  The  pews 
immediately  after  the  dedication  were  rapidly  taken,  and  it  en- 
tered promptly  upon  a  career  of  usefulness  such  as  has  been 
hardly  surpassed  by  any  charge  in  any  of  our  great  centres. 

Among  the  features  of  the  Church  was  its  large  and  well-con- 
ducted Sunday-school.  No  minister  ever  more  highly  appre- 
ciated the  Sunday-school  as  an  arm  of  pastoral  success  than 
Mr.  Cookman.  He  was  in  the  truest  sense  in  all  places  a  part 
of  his  school,  regarding  himself  as  responsible  for  a  close  con- 
tact with  it  and  a  most  intimate  knowledge  of  its  workings. 
He  felt  that  the  same  heart  must  send  its  pulsations  through  the 
whole  congregation,  composed  alike  of  adults  and  children. 
His  habit  was  to  know  and  to  be  known  to  teachers  and  schol- 
ars, to  meet  them  on  the  most  familiar  terms,  and  so  to  inspire 
them  with  affection  as  to  be  able  to  utilize  them  as  instruments 
and  as  materials  for  the  incessant  supply  of  workers  in  the 
Church  and  additions  to  its  members.  The  secret  of  his  great 
power  with  children  was  his  love  for  them.  This  the  children 
could  always  see  and  feel,  and  hence  he  invariably  enlisted 
their  sympathies.  He  was  one  of  the  most  successful  talkers 
to  youth  America  has  known.  His  tact  in  awakening  and 
keeping  attention,  by  presenting  truth  under  the  drapery  of  de- 
scription, or  in  the  form  of  illustration,  or  by  some  apt  question, 
or  by  the  flash  of  gentle  humor,  or  by  a  tone  of  solemn  appeal, 
was  really  consummate.  Who  ever  knew  an  audience  of  chil- 
dren to  tire  under  him  ?  Who  has  not  seen  congregations  of 
them,  wearied  by  some  prosy  homilist  who  had  preceded  him, 
suddenly  electrified  as  he  rose  before  them,  and  his  look  of 
familiar  sweetness  and  voice  of  melody  caught  eye  and  ear! 
He  was  never  happier  than  when  before  the  upturned  faces  of 
his  "  little  brothers  and  sisters,"  as  he  loved  to  call  his  youthful 
auditory,  or  when,  surrounded  by  a  throng  of  them,  they  plucked 
familiarly  at  his  coat  to  catch  his  notice,  or  when,  seated  at  the 


286  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

fireside  of  his  own  or  some  other  Christian  home,  the  boys  and 
girls  drew  about  him  to  listen  to  his  nai've  and  simple  stories. 

It  is  said  of  the  celebrated  John  Charlier  Gerson,  who  was 
Chancellor  of  the  University  of  Paris,  and  the  theological  leader 
of  the  reformatory  councils  of  Pisa  (1409)  and  Constance  (1415), 
that,  after  taking  a  prominent  part  in  all  the  great  questions  of 
his  age,  he  retired  to  a  convent  at  Lyons,  and  found  his  chief 
delight  in  the  instruction  of  children.*  Alfred  Cookman  was 
never  greater  than  when  in  his  humility  he  stooped  to  be  the 
companion  and  friend  of  Christ's  little  ones.  Talking  one  day 
with  a  lad  of  one  of  his  charges,  he  said,  "  Willie,  do  you  pray  ?" 
"  Yes,  Mr.  Cookman,"  was  the  reply.  "  When  you  pray,  what 
do  you  pray  for?  You  know  we  must  have  an  object  when 
we  pray."  "  Why,  sir,  I  have  a  very  bad  temper,  and  I  pray  to 
God  to  help  me  to  overcome  it."  "  And  does  He  help  you  ?" 
"  Yes,  sir,  I  think  He  does."  Such  was  the  affection,  the  direct- 
ness, with  which  he  approached  the  children  and  youth  of  his 
parishes. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  here  to  present  at  some  length  in  his 
own  words  his  views  of  the  relation  of  "the  pastor  and  the  Sun- 
day-school." The  report,  though  not  full,  is  very  suggestive  : 

"  A  practical  talk  on  the  relation  of  the  pastor  to  the  Sunday-school  was 
made  by  the  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman. 

"  He  did  not  design  discussing  the  theory  of  this  relation,  but  to  give  his 
views  of  what  it  should  be,  illustrating  by  his  own  experience  in  trying  to 
carry  out  his  convictions  on  this  subject. 

"  i.  A  pastor  ought  to  spend  a  part  of  every  Sabbath  in  the  midst  of  his 
school ;  be  intimately  interested  and  identified  with  it.  He  should,  if  pos- 
sible, know  the  name,  secure  the  confidence,  and  engage  the  affections  of 
every  child  in  his  charge.  To  further  this,  he  may  pass  around  the  school 
from  time  to  time  quietly,  unostentatiously,  taking  the  hand  of  the  teacher, 
smiling  upon  or  speaking  to  the  class,  or  to  members  of  it,  by  name,  as, 
'Brother  Charley,  I  hope  that  you  are  very  well  to-day;'  or,  'Harry,  my 
little  brother,  I  trust  that  you  are  enjoying  your  lesson — do  you  find  it  diffi- 

*  Langc's  Couim.  on  Matt.,  p.  323. 


THE   PASTOR   AND   THE   SUNDAY-SCHOOL.  287 

cult  ?'  or, '  Mary,  my  little  sister,  you  must  not  fail  to  give  God  your  heart;' 
or,  '  Lizzie,  I  am  hoping  that,  after  a  while,  I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of 
meeting  you  in  heaven,  as  I  now  have  the  pleasure  of  meeting  you  in  Sab- 
bath-school.' Thus  the  presence  of  the  pastor  will  be  greeted  as  a  living, 
moving  blessing,  and  as  he  crosses  the  threshold  of  the  room  little  eyes  will 
brighten,  and  hearts  overflow  with  loving  gladness. 

"  The  pastor  should  also  recognize  his  scholars  in  the  street  and  at  their 
homes,  as  well  as  in  the  school-room.  The  speaker  had  charged  his  chil- 
dren to  run  up  to  him  and  take  him  by  the  hand  in  the  street,  and  to  make 
themselves  known  whenever  and  wherever  they  should  meet  him. 

"  2.  A  second  suggestion  is  that  the  pastor  should  preach  steadily  or  reg- 
ularly to  the  children  of  his  Church,  members  of  his  Sabbath-school.  This 
is  not  to  say  that  he  should  monopolize  the  superintendent's  time  by  re- 
marks, but  have  fixed  periods  when,  after  due  preparation,  he  shall  speak  a 
word  of  loving  counsel,  warning,  or  encouragement.  '  After  due  prepara- 
tion,' mark,  for  there  can  hardly  be  a  greater  mistake  than  to  suppose  that 
this  exercise  requires  little  or  no  preparation.  Dr.  Newton,  that  prince  of 
children's  preachers,  had  told  him  that  he  devoted  as  much  time  and  labor 
to  his  '  children's  sermons '  as  to  those  which  he  prepared  for  the  great  con- 
gregation. The  reason  why  it  has  come  to  be  a  received  truth  that  so  few 
are  adapted  to  talk  to  children,  is  because  so  few  take  the  time  and  thought 
necessary  to  prepare  themselves  for  the  work.  Then,  after  thorough  prep- 
aration, they  must  put  themselves  in  sympathy  with  their  youthful  hearers, 
and  should  aim  rather  to  talk  to  them  than  'address'  them. 

"  In  connection  with  the  service  called  '  Children's  Sermon,'  Mr.  Cook- 
man  has  found  it  advantageous  to  encourage  the  older  scholars  to  submit  to 
him,  the  Sabbath  after  they  have  heard  it,  a  report  of  his  sermon,  which 
may  be  longer  or  shorter  as  they  may  please.  He  receives  it,  takes  it  home, 
carefully  examines  and  corrects  it,  marks  it '  very  good,'  '  excellent,'  '  good,' 
according  to  its  merits,  and  signs  it  carefully, '  Your  affectionate  pastor,'  ap- 
pending his  name.  The  report  is  then  returned  to  the  scholar.  The  idea 
has  proved  useful  in  several  very  obvious  ways. 

"3.  As  a  third  suggestion,  a  pastor  would  find  it  helpful  to  him  and  his 
school  to  have  a  week-day  meeting  of  a  children's  class,  over  which  he  could 
have  supervision  in  the  matter  of  Christian  duty  and  walk.  In  most  of  his 
charges,  Mr.  Cookman  had  held  such  a  class  on  Saturday  afternoon  at  three 
o'clock.  Punctuality  is  insisted  upon,  the  roll  called,  and  absentees  marked. 
If  a  scholar  is  absent  two  or  three  weeks  consecutively,  without  an  excuse, 
his  name  is  stricken  from  the  roll.  After  singing  and  prayer,  and  singing 
again,  the  pastor  asks  a  few  questions  bearing  on  practical  religion,  as, 


288  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

whether  they  have  remembered  to  read  their  Bibles  daily,  and  pray  to  God 
morning  and  night  since  they  last  met,  the  answers  being  given  by  rais- 
ing the  hand.  In  such  an  exercise  the  speaker  had  been  impressed  with 
the  fact  that  so  few  of  his  scholars  were  accustomed  to  pray  twice  a  day. 
They  are  then  encouraged  to  stand  up  in  their  place  and  recite  a  passage 
of  Scripture  on  a  topic  announced  the  week  before,  or  one  having  the  name 
of  Jesus  in  it,  or  one  beginning  with  A,  B,  C,  D,  etc.,  going  regularly  through 
the  alphabet.  An  opportunity  is  then  given  to  the  pastor  to  reply  person- 
ally to  the  scholars,  giving  a  short  word  to  each  on  the  text  they  have  re- 
cited perhaps,  and  then  general  remarks  to  the  class  for  fifteen  or  twenty 
minutes,  with  the  aid  of  the  blackboard,  concluded  with  singing.  These  ex- 
ercises last  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  never  exceed  an  hour.  Tracts  and 
children's  papers  and  reward  cards  are  then  distributed,  and  the  class  sep- 
arates. Each  child  is  taken  by  the  hand  on  parting,  and  some  such  senti- 
ment expressed  as,  '  I  hope  you  will  be  found  obedient  at  home,  kind  to 
little  brothers  and  sisters  during  the  week,'  etc. 

"4.  As  a  last  suggestion,  the  pastor  should  be  concerned  to  organize  a 
Lible-class,  composed  of  his  teachers  and  members  of  the  larger  classes  who 
might  choose  to  join  it.  This  class  may  meet  during  the  week  to  study 
their  next  Sunday's  lesson.  They  had  organized  one  in  the  speaker's 
charge,  which  promised  most  important  results.  It  meets  on  Saturday  even- 
ing. The  first  hour  is  devoted  to  the  lesson  in  asking  and  answering  ques- 
tions, using  the  question-book  as  a  guide,  but  not  confining  themselves  to  it. 
This  exercise  is  made  a  free,  familiar  interchange  of  thought  and  inquiry. 
The  next  half-hour  of  one  week  is  devoted  to  teachers'  experiences,  the  re- 
lation of  encouragements  and  discouragements,  or  to  prayer  over  the  work. 
On  the  next  week  this  half-hour  is  given  to  reading  by  the  pastor  of  short 
biographical  or  other  sketches  of  religious  interest,  making  it  eminently 
practical.  On  the  third  meeting  two  or  three  short  essays,  written  by  schol- 
ars, are  read.  On  the  fourth,  after  the  regular  exercises,  committees  ap- 
pointed by  the  pastor  on  various  subjects,  such  as  sick  and  delinquent  mem- 
bers; on  new  members;  the  prayer-meetings  (which  the  young  men  and 
young  women  conduct  separately);  on  sick  and  afflicted  Church  members; 
on  tract  distribution,  etc.,  all  make  their  reports.  Thus  an  interest  is  taken 
in  all  the  work  of  the  Church,  and  the  pastor  is  training  helpers  all  around 
him.  The  whole  secret  of  his  success  lies  in  some  such  efforts,  by  which 
his  flock,  young  and  old,  shall  be  kept  employed  in  the  Master's  vineyard. 

"  For  a  pastor  to  neglect  the  command, '  Feed  my  lambs,'  and  thus  to 
turn  aside  from  a  field  'white  to  the  harvest,'  is  to  indicate  a  strange  unfit- 
ness  for  the  very  work  to  which  he  ought  to  believe  himself  divinely  called 
beyond  any  question." 


FAMILIAR  LETTERS  TO  HIS  BOYS.  289 

Several  letters  of  Mr.  Cookman  to  his  children  have  already 
been  given.  I  insert  others  here,  written  about  this  date,  as  il- 
lustrative of  his  manner  of  dealing  with  his  own  children,  and 
as  pertinent  to  the  above  remarks.  His  children  were  sum- 
mering at  or  near  Columbia. 

To  his  eldest  son,  Bruner  : 

"  You  will  be  glad  to  receive  a  letter  from  pa.  He  thinks  a  great  deal 
about  his  little  boy,  and  hopes  you  will  not  get  sick  again.  I  suppose  you 
v.-ould  like  to  have  your  velocipede  and  little  carriage  in  Columbia.  As, 
however,  we  could  not  very  well  send  them  so  far,  they  will  have  to  remain, 
and  you  can  enjoy  them  when  you  return  to  the  city.  Grandma  Cookman 
often  talks  about  you.  She  will  be  glad  to  see  you  again.  You  must  be  a 
good  boy,  obey  ma,  love  your  brothers,  take  care  of  sister  Puss,  read  your 
Bible  every  day,  pray  to  your  Heavenly  Father,  and  then  you  will  grow  to 
be  a  first-rate  man." 

.To  his  son  George : 

"  This  letter  is  for  '  Posse  kin,'  as  ma  sometimes  calls  you.  I  expect  you 
are  having  an  elegant  time  at  grandpa's — rolling  your  hoop,  flying  your  kite, 
playing  with  Rollo,  and  helping  grandma  to  make  garden.  You  must  not 
eat  up  all  the  gooseberries  and  cherries  and  currants  before  pa  comes  to 
Columbia ;  if  you  do,  pa  will  lay  you  down  on  the  floor,  and  he  will  tickle 
you— oh,  how  he  will  tickle  you  !  I  hope  that  you  are  a  very  good  boy,  that 
you  obey  every  thing  that  aunt  Beckie  tells  you,  that  you  say  your  prayers  ev- 
ery morning  and  evening,  that  you  never  quarrel  with  little  Bruner,  and  that 
you  keep  away  from  the  railroad  and  river.  Would  you  not  like  to  see  the 
little  sister  ?  She  is  a  bouncing,  beautiful  girl,  and  begins  to  crow  like  a 
chicken.  Frank  Simpson  talks  a  great  deal  about  Bruner  and  George ;  he 
says, '  Boys  gone  in  the  cars — gone  to  Columbia.'  When  pa  and  ma  come 
they  will  bring  Frank  and  the  little  sister.  Then  you  will  take  Frank  in  the 
garden  and  show  him  the  flowers,  won't  you  ?  and  you  will  put  little  Annie 
in  a  carriage,  and  take  her  riding.  Then  pa  will  get  a  big  carriage  and  a 
live  horse,  and  with  his  little  boys  he  will  drive  out  in  the  country.  Won't 
we  have  a  good  time  ?  Now  remember  to  be  a  good,  obedient  boy,  and  pa 
will  bring  you  a  pretty  present.  Give  a  kiss  to  grandma,  grandpa,  and  aunt 
Rebecca,  and  all  the  rest.  When  they  will  let  you  see  that  new  baby  at 
uncle  Aby's,  you  must  ask  him  to  let  you  give  it  a  kiss  for  pa,  and  let  it 

N 


2QO  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

be  one  of  your  very  best  kisses.     Pa  and  ma  send  you  a  locomotive  full  of 
love." 

To  his  boys : 

"  You  will  be  glad  I  know  to  hear  from  us.  After  leaving  you  on  Mon- 
day I  proceeded  in  the  direction  of  Philadelphia,  reaching  home  about  six 
o'clock  in  the  evening.  I  found  all  well.  The  next  day  we  started  in  the 
noon  train,  and  arrived  in  Columbia  early  in  the  afternoon.  The  children 
were  very  much  surprised  and  delighted  to  see  us.  Will  is  stout  and  healthy. 
Sis  is  sunburnt  and  thin.  Mary  is  fat  and  saucy.  We  took  to  Sis,  Maze, 
and  Mame  wax-dolls  and  paper-dolls,  and  to  Will,  Alfred,  and  Harry  we 
gave  knives,  arrows,  and  blow-guns.  Yesterday  I  rode  out  to  see  the  new 
camp-ground,  which  is  about  twelve  miles  from  Columbia.  The  grove  is 
very  beautiful.  Aunt  Beckie  will  have  a  tent.  The  friends  are  expecting 
about  one  hundred  and  twenty  tents.  I  shall  take  Sis  and  Will  some  day 
and  let  them  see  a  camp-meeting.  Uncle  Abe's  stable  is  nearly  finished, 
and  both  his  horses  are  here.  Their  names  are  Frank  and  Mike.  They 
are  strong,  noble  bays.  In  a  few  days  he  expects  to  have  his  carriage,  and 
then  look  out  for  splendid  rides.  I  hope  you  continue  very  good  boys. 
Remember  to  do  as  uncle  John  or  cousin  Emmy  require.  Be  polite  at  the 
table;  make  as  little  noise  as  possible;  do  not  go  in  the  way  of  danger; 
keep  away  from  the  machines  and  from  the  horses'  feet;  keep  your  clothing 
tidy;  be  sure  not  to  quarrel;  read  your  Bible;  say  your  prayers;  resolve  to 
be  just  as  good  in  the  absence  as  in  the  presence  of  your  parents.  We  de- 
sire to  hear  from  you,  so  that  you  must  remember  to  write  every  week.  I 
suppose  you  are  having  a  grand  time  hunting  eggs,  picking  blackberries, 
digging  calamus,  riding  horses,  and  helping  cousin  Davy  in  the  harvest-field. 
Get  all  the  enjoyment  you  can,  and  then  be  ready  to  go  back  to  school  and 
study  like  nailers." 

To  his  daughter  Mary  : 

"  DEAR  LITTLE  HONEY  SISTER,— How  I  would  like  to  have  you  in  my 
arms  just  now.  I  would  give  you  a  splendid  squeeze,  and  then  I  would  kiss 
those  dear  little  cheeks.  Pa  often  looks  into  your  crib  and  then  thinks  of 
his  precious  daughter.  Won't  you  come  to  Philadelphia  some  of  these  days, 
and  sleep  alongside  of  your  darling  pa  ?  To-day  I  was  looking  at  your  bas- 
ket-cradle, in  which  you  rock  your  dolls.  When  you  come  back  to  the  city 
pa  will  get  you  a  new  doll  for  your  cradle  ;  but  you  must  be  a  very  good  lit- 
tle girl.  Do  not  eat  any  green  grapes.  You  may  jump  rope,  and  sew  with 
your  '  iiccda?  and  play  with  your  'yabbil,'1  but  you  must  not  get  sick.  Now 
give  me  one  of  your  best  kisses  and  bid  me  good-night." 


GOOD   ADVICE.  2QI 

To  his  older  sons  : 

"  Bruner's  letter  came  to  hand  this  morning.  We  were  glad  to  learn  that 
you  were  quite  well  and  enjoying  yourselves.  You  must  be  very  good  boys 
during  your  stay  in  Columbia.  Make  as  little  noise  and  trouble  as  possible. 
Grandma  and  grandpa  are  both  old,  and  therefore  can  not  bear  as  much 
as  they  once  could.  You  must  try  and  remember  this,  and  when  you 
are  in  the  house  talk  in  subdued  tones  and  sit  quietly  in  your  chairs.  I 
think  you  ought  to  take  a  part  of  every  day  for  reading.  If  all  study  and  no 
play  makes  Jack  a  dull  boy,  then  all  play  and  no  study  makes  Jack  a  very 
good-for-nothing  boy.  Select  some  interesting  book,  read  more  or  less  ev- 
ery day,  and  when  I  come  to  Columbia  you  can  each  one  report  the  number 
of  pages  you  have  read,  for  I  shall  certainly  ask  the  question.  Do  not  quar- 
rel with  one  another ;  such  conduct  is  disgraceful,  and  especially  between 
brothers.  This  spirit  often  leads  to  blows,  and  blows  to  serious  injuries, 
and  even  death.  Nothing  could  grieve  me  so  much  as  to  know  that  my  boys 
did  not  feel  kindly  or  affectionately  toward  each  other.  Always  be  gentle  and 
patient  and  affectionate  in  your  conversation  and  sports  and  intercourse. 

"Another  thing — never  forget  that  you  are  young  Christians,  members  of  the 
Church.  The  eyes  of  others  are  upon  you.  I  do  not  suppose  that  you  would 
tell  falsehoods  or  say  bad  words,  or  take  what  did  not  belong  to  you.  But  re- 
member that  angry  tempers  and  angry  words  are  inconsistent  with  the  Chris- 
tian character.  You  have  not  left  your  religion  in  Philadelphia,  but  taken 
it  with  you.  Let  it  influence  you  to  read  your  Bible  every  day,  to  pray  three 
times  a  day,  and  to  go  to  class-meeting  every  week.  Ask  aunt  Beckie  if  she 
will  not  take  you  with  her  ;  and  though  it  may  be  a  trial — a  great  trial — yet 
for  the  sake  of  your  dear  Saviour  consent  to  the  trial,  and  resolve  to  attend 
a  class-meeting  every  week.  In  this  matter  take  your  father's  advice.  lie 
knows  what  is  best,  for  he  has  been  through  all  your  experiences.  Read 
this  letter  over  and  over  again,  think  of  and  remember  the  advice  we  have 
given.  Be  quid  as  possible,  read  a  little  every  day,  doift  quarrel,  act  like  lit- 
tle Christians,  go  to  class-meeting.  About  going  down  the  country,  we  will 
see  when  I  go  to  Columbia.  This  morning  we  are  all  pretty  well.  The 
baby,  who  was  quite  sick  all  day  yesterday,  seems  better.  This  is  probably 
owing  to  the  agreeable  change  in  the  weather.  Mamma  says  that  when  it 
suddenly  becomes  cool  you  must  not  forget  to  put  on  thicker  clothing.  Will 
scalded  his  foot  this  morning,  and  for  a  while  was  a  lame  and  crying  little 
soldier.  But  petroleum  and  flour  have  cured  him  so  far  that  he  is  now  out 
of  doors  playing.  How  is  little  sister  Puss  ?  Let  every  brother  give  her 
two  kisses  for  me.  I  am  glad  she  was  pleased  with  her  book.  Of  course  she 
will  read  it  all  through,  and  be  able  to  tell  us  all  about  it  when  we  meet." 


2Q2  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

To  his  son  George  : 

"  How  are  you  getting  along  ?  I  hope,  as  Frank  would  say,  '  berry  well.' 
I  thought  when  I  saw  you  that  there  was  not  enough  flesh  on  that  little  body 
of  yours.  See  if  you  can  not  get  right  fat  by  the  time  I  go  to  Columbia. 
Look  here,  George,  do  you  know  who  can  speak, 

"  '  From  Greenland's  icy  mountains, 
From  India's  coral  strand  ?' 

Yes,  you  do.  It  is  a  little  fellow  just  about  your  size,  and  that  looks  just  as 
you  do.  Now  the  boy  that  can  speak  as  well  as  you  do,  ought  not  to  be 
noisy  or  rude  or  disobedient.  Do  you  think  he  ought  ?  I  want  you  to  be 
one  of  the  best  boys  in  all  the  world.  You  know  you  are  named  after 
grandpa  Cookman,  and  he  was  one  of  the  best  men  that  could  be  found." 

A  meeting  for  the  promotion  of  holiness  was  promptly  estab- 
lished at  Spring  Garden ;  but  for  sufficient  reasons  Mr.  Cook- 
man allowed  it  to  be  removed  to  the  Methodist  Book-rooms, 
on  Arch  Street.  He  by  general  consent  was  continued  the 
leader  of  the  meeting  while  he  remained  in  the  city.  This 
"  Friday-afternoon  meeting  "  has  become  an  institution,  and  is 
resorted  to  by  persons  of  all  denominations  from  far  and  near. 
Mr.  Cookman  also  frequented,  as  when  previously  in  Philadel- 
phia, the  meetings  under  the  conduct  of  Mrs.  Keen. 

A  letter  written  about  midsummer  of  this  year  makes  pleas- 
ing reference  to  this  and  kindred  meetings,  to  the  success  of  the 
new  Church  enterprise,  and  withal  breathes  the  saintly  devo- 
tion and  genuine  friendship  so  characteristic  of  the  man. 

To  Mrs.  Skidmore,  of  New  York  : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  July  n,  1865. 

"  How  much  obliged  I  was  for  your  kind  and  very  welcome  letter.  When 
the  pen  can  contribute  so  much  to  the  happiness  of  our  friends,  especially 
ministerial  friends,  who  need  the  inspiration  of  affectionate  words  ;  when  it 
so  consciously  builds  us  up  in  our  purposes  and  faith  and  holiness,  are  we 
not  responsible  for  its  use  ?  You  will  feel,  I  trust,  the  force  of  this  sincere 
appeal,  and  by  your  continuance  in  well-doing  earn  the  valuable  commen- 
dation, 'She  hath  done  what  she  could.1  Our  pleasant  fellowship  in  the 
X-'ciitral  Church  pastorate,  and  subsequently  at  Trinity,  furnishes  even  now 


SANCTIFIED   FRIENDSHIPS.  293 

a  feast  of  memory.  As  the  iron  wheel  in  its  revolutions  has  interfered  with 
this  communion,  the  next  best  thing  is  friendly  correspondence.  If  \ve  can 
not  enjoy  together  one  of  our  old-time  talks,  thank  God,  we  have  the  ability 
and  disposition  to  make  a  less  satisfactory  medium  tributary  to  our  Chris- 
tian friendship.  Meanwhile,  aye,  and  all  the  while,  we  are  one  in  Christ  our 
Head.  It  is  with  me  a  most  inspiring  thought  that,  although  separated  in 
person  from  many  of  my  cherished  friends,  yet  our  spirits  constantly  com- 
mingle in  God.  We  are  every  day  in  the  same  presence,  talking  to  the 
same  Father,  sharing  the  same  precious  influences.  Truly  mountains  rise 
and  oceans  roll  to  sunder  such  in  vain. 

"  With  yourself  I  place  an  increasing  appreciation  on  those  friends  whose 
hearts  have  been  constituted  the  abode  of  the  sanctifying  Spirit.  Their 
words  instruct  me,  their  example  stimulates  me,  their  influence  lingers  with 
me.  They  not  only  contribute  to  my  purest  joys  in  this  world,  but  are  en- 
riching me  for  all  eternity.  Next  to  Jesus  in  my  own  heart,  I  am  unuttera- 
bly grateful  for  Jesus  in  my  friends.  The  circle  that  were  associated  in  the 
Friday-afternoon  meeting  !  oh,  how  vividly  they  live  in  my  remembrance 
— how  they  still  seem  to  strengthen  and  comfort  me  with  their  testimonies 
and  prayers  !  Around  that  room  and  around  those  friends  there  gathers  an 
unearthly  glory.  As  I  review  those  rich  privileges,  I  sometimes  find  myself 
singing, 

"  '  And  if  our  fellowship  below 

In  Jesus  was  so  sweet, 
What  heights  of  rapture  shall  we  know 

WThen  round  His  throne  we  meet.' 

"  I  enjoy  our  Philadelphia  means  of  grace,  but  as  yet  it  seems  to  me  that 
we  have  not  struggled  as  near  the  eternal  throne  as  we  were  accustomed 
to  get  in  those  memorable  meetings. 

"  You  will  regret  to  learn  that  our  beloved  friend  Andrew  is  unusually  fee- 
ble. About  two  weeks  since  he  broke  down  utterly  in  the  midst  of  his  Sab- 
bath-morning sermon.  The  friends  at  Trinity  are  very  kind  in  their  concern 
for  his  welfare.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  his  annual  rest  and  recreation  will 
entirely  restore  him.  Mrs.  Keen  is  enjoying  the  society  of  Sister  Lankford, 
who  has  been  here  about  two  weeks.  Unfortunately  for  myself,  I  have  been 
absent  from  the  Tuesday  meeting  both  times  when  she  has  been  present. 
Thus  I  have  missed  her  kind,  sweet  face,  her  gentle  words,  her  precious 
spirit.  I  am  hoping,  however,  this  afternoon  to  meet  her  under  those  pleas- 
ant circumstances,  and  be  refreshed  as  aforetime  by  her  clear,  simple,  and 
unctuous  testimony. 

"  You  have  doubtless  been  informed  respecting  the  great  success  of  our 


294  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Church  enterprise.  The  day  of  dedication  was  marked  by  the  most  decided 
interest  and  the  most  satisfactory  success.  Bishop  Simpson  and  Dr.  Dur- 
bin  both  preached  with  very  much  more  than  their  ordinary  power.  Gen- 
eral Grant,*  without  invitation,  gave  us  his  presence.  The  collections 
amounted  to  $15,000,  which  leaves  a  very  small  indebtedness.  All  the  pews 
on  the  lower  floor,  except  two,  have  been  rented,  and  some  in  the  gallery. 
The  income  from  rentals  and  premiums  this  year  will  approach  $10,000. 
Not  unto  us,  not  unto  us,  but  unto  our  kind  Heavenly  Father  we  give  all 
the  glory.  Will  you  not  remember  us  with  the  sincerest  love  to  all  our 
dear  friends  in  New  York  that  you  may  meet  ?  If  we  are  dear  to  any  of 
them,  I  am  sure  they  are  all  unspeakably  dear  to  us.  Tell  any  of  them  who 
may  be  interested  to  know  that  I  still  joyously  accept  Jesus  as  my  perfect 
Saviour." 

The  first  year  of  the  pastorate  at  Spring  Garden  was  one 
of  solid  and  abiding  usefulness.  There  is  no  record  which 
acquaints  us  with  the  details  of  the  devoted  pastor's  labors,  but 
the  minutes  of  the  Conference  show  increase  in  all  depart- 
ments. 

As  evidence  of  the  high  esteem  in  which  the  pastor  and  his 
wife  were  held,  the  congregation,  on  the  6th  of  March,  1866,  the 
fifteenth  anniversary  of  their  marriage,  gave  them  a  "  crystal 
wedding."  Their  home  on  Wallace  Street  was  crowded  with  the 
members  of  the  congregation,  who  brought  with  them  many  taste- 
ful articles  as  mementoes  of  the  occasion.  A  presentation  speech 
was  made  to  the  happy  pair  by  Mr.  Alexander  Irwin,  to  which 
Mr.  Cookman  replied  in  his  usually  felicitous  style.  He  was 
much  moved  while  he  spoke,  and  at  the  close  called  upon  the 
company  to  sing, "  Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings  flow," 
and  then  offered  prayer. 

Mr.  Cookman  never  appeared  to  greater  advantage  than 
amid  those  scenes,  when  he  was  surrounded  by  the  company  of 
his  friends,  drawn  together  in  honor  of  himself,  or  of  some 
friend,  or  for  the  advancement  of  the  social  culture  of  the 

*  It  was  then  expected  that  General  Grant  would  settle  in  Philadelphia, 
and  the  Trustees  of  the  Church  had  offered  him  a  pew. 


BEFORE   THE   YOUNG   MEN'S   CHRISTIAN   ASSOCIATION.     295 

Church.  He  was  commonly  the  central  attraction  of  all  such 
gatherings,  not  so  much  by  his  official  station  as  by  the  charm 
of  his  person  and  character — handsome,  dignified,  and  affable, 
he  moved  among  the  circles  which  he  frequented  with  a  modest 
grace,  an  instinctive  recognition  of  the  claims  of  others,  a 
kindly  salutation  for  every  one,  an  evident  appreciation  of  all 
that  is  best  in  his  fellow-beings,  which,  while  it  showed  him  to 
be  a  man  of 

"  Cheerful  yesterdays,  and  confident  to-morrows," 

also  made  it  manifest  to  all  that  the  source  of  his  cheerfulness 
and  of  his  friendship  was  deep  in  the  springs  of  a  pure  nature. 
Mr.  Cookman's  close  sympathy  with  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association  during  his  former  residence  in  Philadelphia 
will  be  remembered.  He  shows  himself  again  on  their  plat- 
form, and  speaks  in  the  following  timely  and  earnest  words : 

"Ecclesiastical  history  tells  us  of  one  of  the  ancient  Christians  who,  when 
summoned  before  the  tribunal  where  he  was  to  receive  his  sentence  of  death, 
was  asked,  '  What  is  thy  name  ?'  He  immediately  responded,  '  I  am  a 
Christian  ?'  '  What  is  thy  occupation  ?'  He  answered,  '  I  am  a  Christian.' 
'  What  is  thy  native  country  ?'  He  answered,  '  I  am  a  Christian.'  '  Who 
were  thy  ancestors  ?'  He  answered,  '  I  am  a  Christian.'  And  to  all  the 
inquiries  he  responded  consistently  in  the  words, '  I  am  a  Christian.'  Sir, 
it  is  with  a  feeling  akin  to  this  that  I  appear  upon  your  platform  to-night — 
not  as  an  American,  not  as  a  Methodist,  not  as  a  sectarian,  Mr.  President — I 
am  a  Christian.  I  glory  in  this  worthy  distinction  ;  and  in  the  presence  of 
men  and  angels  I  announce  the  fact, '  I  am  a  Christian '  —  a  humble  mem- 
ber, an  unworthy  representative  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
of  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 

"  Allow  me,  sir,  to  congratulate  you  and  the  friends  of  this  worthy  enter- 
prise upon  the  brilliant  and  truly  inspiring  scene  which  greets  our  vision 
and  crowns  our  anniversary.  Certainly  these  Christian  laborers  are  encom- 
passed about  with  a  great  cloud  of  witnesses.  Look  at  them  sitting  in  these 
boxes,  occupying  this  lower  floor  and  yonder  gallery — filling  the  entire  house, 
making  it  appear  almost  like  an  ancient  amphitheatre,  which,  during  the 
progress  of  the  Olympic  games,  would  be  crowded  in  every  part,  causing  the 
place  to  look  like  a  living,  breathing  structure.  It  shows  how  dear  to  the 
heart  of  every  Christian  is  the  cause  of  Christianity,  and  the  welfare  of  every 


296  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

instrumentality  intended  to  promote  the  interests  of  religion.  These  young 
men  shall  rise  up  like  a  race  of  young  giants,  showing  themselves  mighty  in 
pulling  down  the  strongholds  of  the  wicked  one.  Now  we  have  in  the  midst 
of  us  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant.  Upon  our  banners  are  inscribed  the  words, 
'  Christ  and  Him  crucified.'  This  is  the  motto  under  which  we  successfully 
battle.  It  is  true,  we  still  want  the  baptism  of  fire — that  fire  which  shall  con- 
stantly burn  in  our  hearts,  that  shall  glow  in  our  countenances,  kindle  upon 
our  tongues,  and  shine  in  our  lives. 

"  Mr.  President,  I  was  greatly  excited  by  the  cordial  welcome  you  extended 
to  these  delegates,  hailing  as  they  do  from  the  North,  South,  East,  and  West. 
Only  a  week  since  I  was  in  the  city  of  Pittsburgh,  and  spent  there  one  of 
the  happiest  evenings  of  my  life.  That  such  may  be  the  case  with  you  all 
to-night  is  my  earnest  wish.  But  a  few  years  have  elapsed  since  the  veterans 
of  1812,  hailing  from  almost  every  state  in  the  Union,  assembled  in  yonder 
hall  on  Chestnut  Street,  where  more  than  eighty-three  years  ago  there  was 
prepared  for  publication  to  the  world  the  memorable  Declaration  of  Amer- 
ican Independence.  Finding  the  room  too  small  for  the  number  present, 
they  adjourned  to  the  Chinese  Museum,  which  afforded  them  more  spacious 
accommodations.  At  the  second  organization  it  was  ascertained  that  some 
of  the  delegates  were  absent.  The  New  York  delegation  was  every  moment 
expected.  Soon  the  stentorian  voice  of  the  door-keeper  was  heard,  r.nd  the 
shout  of  the  '  New  York  Delegation '  resounded  throughout  the  building. 
That  vast  audience  sprang  upon  their  feet,  and  made  the  edifice  literally 
vocal  with  their  shouts  of  enthusiastic  welcome.  The  Baltimore  veterans, 
coming  in  immediately  after,  were  received  with  the  wildest  shouts  of  en- 
thusiastic joy.  And  now,  when  the  good  soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ  are  com- 
ing from  the  battles  of  our  world  to  sit  down  in  a  convention  that  shall  never 
adjourn  sine  die,  an  angel  at  one  door,  with  shouts  of  joy,  will  announce  the 
names  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  New  York;  another 
angel,  at  another  door,  will  announce  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion of  Troy ;  another  the  names  of  the  associations  of  Baltimore,  German- 
town,  and  a  thousand  other  places,  all  coming  to  mingle  together  in  the  Par- 
adise of  God.  May  God  grant  such  may  be  the  case,  and  that  we  may  all 
be  united  in  a  bond  of  union  that  shall  never  know  dissolution," 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

SPRING  GARDEN   STREET  CHURCH. — CIVIL  RIGHTS   OF  THE   COL- 
ORED  RACE. — VACATION   AT   CAMP-MEETINGS. 

THE  session  of  this  Conference  of  1866  over,  Mr.  Cookman 
hastened  to  the  help  of  his  brother  John,  who  was  stationed  in 
Poughkeepsie,  New  York.  He  found  him  in  the  midst  of  an 
extensive  revival,  but  greatly  prostrated  in  health ;  and  although 
he  was  himself  just  out  of  an  arduous  winter's  work,  he  could 
not  refrain  from  entering  earnestly  into  the  work  on  his  broth- 
er's hands. 

To  his  wife  : 

"  POUGHKEEPSIE,  Monday,  March  26. 

*  *  *  "  We  found  John  in  bed,  a  victim  of  diphtheria  and  great  nervous 
prostration.  Last  Wednesday  the  doctor  was  very  much  alarmed.  Yester- 
day morning  early,  and  again  in  the  afternoon,  he  had  very  bad  spells.  This 
morning,  however,  he  seems  better,  and  we  hope  will  recover  rapidly.  His 
people  are  earnest  and  united  in  the  prayers  for  the  preservation  of  his  life, 
which  seems  to  them  exceedingly  valuable.  His  labors  have  been  singularly 
blessed.  It  is  estimated  that  nearly  three  hundred  have  professed  to  ex- 
perience religion,  among  whom  are  a  large  number  of  heads  of  families  and 
strong,  stalwart  young  men.  The  end  is  not  yet. 

"  I  preached  yesterday  morning  on  the  cloud  of  witnesses.  After  the 
sermon  the  altar  was  surrounded  by  gentlemen  and  ladies,  who  proposed  to 
join  the  Church  on  probation.  In  the  afternoon  we  had  a  prayer-meeting, 
with  an  altar  full  of  penitents.  In  the  evening  I  preached  on  '  Ye  will  not 
come,'  etc.  The  altar  was  again  filled  with  mourners,  and  some  occupied  the 
front  seats.  This  morning,  and  every  morning  at  nine  o'clock,  a  meeting, 
largely  attended,  is  held  in  the  lecture-room.  I  preach  to-night,  to-morrow 
night,  and  perhaps  on  Wednesday  night  John  has  not  been  out  of  his  bed 
since  last  Tuesday,  so  that  he  is  entirely  laid  aside.  The  friends  interpret 
my  presence  as  a  providential  interposition.  If  you  need  me  before  Thurs- 
day, telegraph,  and  I  will  be  forthcoming  at  the  earliest  moment,  but,  unless 
there  should  be  some  emergency  demanding  my  presence,  I  reckon  I  will 

N2 


298  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

stay  till  Thursday.  I  have  the  prospect  of  incessant  labor  while  I  remain 
here,  but  this  work  shall  make  my  heart  rejoice,  and  '  spend  the  remnant  of 
my  days.' " 

The  successful  close  of  the  late  civil  war,  it  will  be  remem- 
bered, entailed  upon  the  nation  problems  of  reconstruction  sec- 
ond only  in  importance  and  difficulty  to  that  of  maintaining  the 
unbroken  authority  of  the  general  Government.  The  chief  prob- 
lem was  the  settlement  of  the  relations  of  the  freed  colored  race 
to  the  new  order  of  things.  The  negro  was  free — he  could  not 
be  again  reduced  to  slavery.  Should  he  advance  in  the  essen- 
tial conditions  of  freedom  to  the  possession  of  those  civil  rights 
without  the  exercise  of  which  liberty  is  but  a  name  ?  Such  was 
the  question  which  in  1866  forced  itself  upon  the  true  lovers  of 
the  country  and  of  humanity  for  a  speedy  and  practical  solution. 

It  can  not  be  denied  that  the  first  stage  of  transition  from 
bondage  to  freedom  was  to  the  colored  people  of  the  South  a 
period  of  fearful  trial  and  suffering.  "  The  reaction  which  fol- 
lowed at  the  waters  of  strife,  upon  the  exultation  of  the  passage 
of  the  Red  Sea,  has  been  fitly  described  as  the  likeness  of  the 
reaction  which,  from  the  days  of  Moses  downward,  has  followed 
on  every  great  national  emancipation — on  every  just  and  be- 
neficent revolution — when  the  'evils  it  caused  are  felt,  and  the 
evils  which  it  removed  are  felt  no  longer.'"*  Many  of  the 
worst  results  of  emancipation,  which  the  enemies  of  the  slaves 
had  predicted  and  their  friends  had  feared,  fell  upon  them. 
They  wandered  about  in  multitudes,  without  food,  clothing, 
or  shelter.  Their  irresponsible  and  defenseless  condition  ex- 
posed them  to  sickness  and  immorality.  They  were  tempted 
to  drunkenness,  theft,  and  murder.  It  is  not  surprising  that 
they,  like  the  Israelites,  longed  at  the  "bitter  waters"  for  the 
"flesh-pots  of  Egypt."  When  in  bondage,  they  felt  only  the 
evils  of  their  sad  state,  and  anticipated  in  freedom  naught  but 
the  sweets  of  liberty.  In  their  recollections  they  dreamed  of 
*  Stanley's  History  of  the  Jewish  Church. 


JUSTICE   TO   THE   NEGRO.  299 

their  snug  quarters,  their  hoe-cakes,  their  merry  evening  songs 
and  dances,  but  forgot  the  chains,  the  whip,  the  extinction  of 
manhood  and  all  its  ties  •  and  thus,  as  they  saw  in  the  present 
only  privation  and  peril,  no  wonder  their  hearts  failed  them  and 
hope  well-nigh  died  out. 

Many  of  the  advocates  of  freedom  were  also  alarmed.  The 
old,  oft-repeated  sophistry,  that  the  negro  is  incapable  of  self- 
government,  seemed  too  well  supported  by  the  abuses  and  shift- 
lessness  which  could  not  but  follow  upon  the  heels  of  a  people 
suddenly  liberated,  without  the  least  education  in  the  habits  of 
self-help.  It  again  required  the  faith  and  nerve  to  insist  upon 
the  rights  of  citizenship  for  the  black  man  that  it  had  origi- 
nally required  to  demand  his  liberation.  Mr.  Cookman  was 
among  the  number  who  stood  forward  quite  early  in  the  recon- 
struction agitation  for  the  bestowal  of  these  rights  in  all  their 
fullness. 

To  his  sister,  Miss  Mary  Cookman : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  June  6, 1866. 

"  Last  night  I  made  a  speech  in  the  largest  colored  church  in  Philadel- 
phia. Two  bishops,  a  book  agent,  a  missionary,  an  editor,  etc.  (all  black), 
on  the  platform.  Justice  to  the  negro  and  justice  to  the  traitor  was  my  po- 
litical creed  announced.  Duty  to  their  brethren  in  the  South,  the  exhorta- 
tion urged.  We  had  a  glorious  time.  I  thought  of  our  honored  father, 
how  he  would  have  reveled  and  kindled  and  flamed  on  such  an  occasion  or 
under  such  circumstances. 

"This  suggests  your  inquiry  respecting  colonization.  My  impression  is 
that  colonization  belongs  to  some  future  providential  development.  God  is 
using  the  African  race  just  now  to  teach  us  a  lesson  of  justice  and  human 
brotherhood.  We  are  not  sufficiently  instructed  or  disciplined  yet,  and  can 
not  dispense  with  the  lesson-book.  When  we  are  disposed  to  do  justly  in 
every  particular,  then  I  rather  expect  that  Providence  will  open  some  gold 
mines  or  oil  wells,  or  something  else  in  the  African  coast,  or  in  some  other 
locality  where  black  people  can  best  live,  and  so  we  shall  work  out  the  prob- 
lem of  colonization.  At  the  present  time  they  are  not  only  important  for 
testing  our  integrity,  but  also  for  cultivating  our  soil.  As  laborers  they  are 
indispensable  to  our  wealth  and  prosperity.  I  think  colonization  must  be 
left  to  Providence  and  the  colored  people  themselves.  We  can  not  force 


300  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

them  away ;  it  would  be  unwise,  unkind,  unchristian ;  and  to  colonize  as  we 
have  been  doing  is  like  emptying  a  river  by  taking  out  a  bucketful  now 
and  then.  Let  us  live  for  the  present,  faithfully  discharging  the  duty  of  the 
passing  hour,  which  is  to  educate  and  elevate  a  people  whose  unrequited  la- 
bors, multiplied  wrongs,  tedious  bondage,  and  deep  degradation  give  them  a 
special  claim  upon  us.  Give  them  the  spelling-book,  the  Bible,  equal  rights 
before  the  law,  and  the  elective  franchise  as  their  weapon  of  defense,  and 
then  leave  all  the  rest  to  God.  In  such  a  case  I  would  implicitly  trust  the 
providence  of  One  who  is  Himself  infinitely  just  and  holy  and  good. 

"  We  were  very  grateful  to  learn  of  the  improvement  in  dear  mother's 
health.  She  does  not  know  how  unspeakably  precious  she  is  in  the  ap- 
preciation of  her  children.  As  time  leaves  its  mark  upon  face  and  form, 
our  love  seems  to  be  gentler,  tenderer,  and  more  sacred.  We  feel  to  say, 
'  Handle  her  carefully,  speak  to  her  lovingly ;  pour  all  the  sunshine  pos- 
sible over  the  remaining  years  of  her  earthly  sojourn.'  Oh,  we  enjoyed 
beyond  expression  her  presence  in  Philadelphia.  She  never  before  seemed 
so  beautiful  in  my  eyes.  I  felt  as  if  I  wanted  to  see  her  every  day.  My 
visits  were  always  too  short  for  myself.  God  bless  her  with  the  best  of  His 
blessings — and  He  does,  for  He  gives  her  Himself,  and  next  to  this  He  gives 
her  the  enthusiastic  love  of  her  devoted  children.  We  give  her  her  vindi- 
cation before  she  is  taken  from  us,  that  she  has  always  been  true,  tender, 
sympathizing,  loving,  faithful — yes,  the  best  of  mothers. 

"  I  have  written  you  a  long  letter,  and  yet  I  have  not  said  nearly  all  that  is 
in  my  heart.  My  soul  still  trusts  and  triumphs  in  God.  Oh,  for  a  gust  of 
praise  to  spread  abroad  the  preciousness  and  power  of  full  salvation !" 

The  summer  of  1866  found  Mr.  Cookman,  as  usual,  turned 
"  evangelist."  Instead  of  spending  the  vacation  month  as  a 
holiday,  he  went  from  camp-meeting  to  camp-meeting,  a  herald 
of  salvation.  "What  is  the  use  of  giving  you  vacation?"  said 
one  of  his  official  brethren  ;  "  you  don't  rest,  you  go  to  all  the 
camp-meetings  and  preach  more  than  if  you  were  at  home.  I 
can  not  favor  it  unless  you  will  rest."  He  replied,  "  I  can  not 
accept  on  such  condition.  I  must  preach.  The  Gospel  is  free." 

He  was  then  in  perfect  health,  and  seemed  never  to  need  the 
recreations  which  are  taken  apart  from  the  constant  exercise  of 
preaching  and  laboring  for  the  salvation  of  the  people.  His 
movements  and  the  exercises  of  his  mind  may  best  be  seen  in 


PENN'S  GROVE.  301 

his  own  letters.  The  prominence  given  to  the  subject  of  holi- 
ness will  strike  every  one.  It  must  also  be  apparent  how  rap- 
idly he  was  growing  in  grace — how  increasingly  spiritual  and 
heavenly  his  experience  was  becoming.  He  was  literally  losing 
himself  in  Christ,  and  in  that  doctrine  the  experience  of  which 
he  regarded  as  wholly  putting  on  the  Lord  Jesus. 

To  his  wife : 

"  CAMP  GROUND,  Thursday,  1866. 

"  I  am  just  outside  of  Heaven.  Penn's  Grove  is,  as  usual,  the  very  vesti- 
bule of  Paradise.  The  meeting,  always  good,  was  never  more  glorious  than 
this  year.  An  unusual  number  of  tents  are  on  the  ground,  crowds  of  preach- 
ers, and  very  many  of  those  who  are  so  dear  to  the  heart  of  Jesus,  Brother 
Belden,  Brother  Inskip  and  wife,  etc.,  etc.  This  morning  we  have  been  en- 
joying a  meeting,  and  if  Heaven  supplies  such  pleasures  I  certainly  will 
have  no  reason  for  complaint. 

" '  My  glad  soul  mounted  higher, 
In  a  chariot  of  fire, 
And  the  moon  it  was  under  my  feet.' 

Oh,  how  glad  I  am  that  I  came  !  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost  meet,  over- 
shadow me,  and  make  the  hours  memorable.  I  feel  as  if  I  could  almost 
give  a  little  fortune  if  you  were  here.  Perhaps  we  made  a  mistake  in  not 
coming  down  last  Saturday,  but  our  motive  was  pure.  It  had  rained,  and 
every  thing  was  very  damp,  but  my  Father  covered  me  with  His  feathers, 
and  under  His  wing  did  I  sleep.  Yesterday  I  was  sick,  but  camp-meeting 
has  cured  me,  and  this  morning  I  feel  decidedly  better.  There  are  constant 
inquiries  respecting  yourself,  and  great  regret  expressed  that  you  are  not 
here.  I  do  not  expect  to  preach.  There  are  so  many  ministerial  brethren 
this  year  that  I  can  be  excused.  The  trumpet  has  sounded  for  morning 
preaching.  I  have  lingered  a  moment  to  scribble  these  few  lines.  To-mor- 
row I  expect  to  leave  for  Baltimore.  Oh,  that  you  could  breathe  this  hal- 
lowed atmosphere  ! — oh,  that  you  could  share  these  celestial  influences  ! 
God  will  bless  you  in  Columbia.  I  want  this  summer  an  unprecedented 
baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

To  his  wife : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  SPRING  GARDEN,     ) 
Monday  morning,  5  o'clock,  1866.  ) 

"  Yesterday  I  preached  at  St.  George's  morning  and  evening,  and  also 
administered  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  Working  both  ways, 


302  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

this  made  a  full  and  laborious  day.  My  sermons,  however,  released  Dr. 
Bartine,  and  thus  Ennall's  Springs  camp-meeting  was  saved  from  disappoint- 
ment At  eight  o'clock  I  listened  to  Rev.  Mr.  Matlack.  His  subject  was '  the 
Times,'  and  he  preached  the  most  political  sermon  I  ever  heard.  Some  of 
his  expressions  were  terrible,  but  on  the  whole  I  liked  it  because  of  its  truth 
and  bravery.  The  Penn's  Grove  camp  wound  up  gloriously.  The  last  after- 
noon and  evening  one  hundred  souls  were  converted.  They  say  that  alto- 
gether it  was  the  best  meeting  held  in  that  forest  for  twelve  years.  This 
morning  at  nine  o'clock  I  expect  to  start  for  the  Eastern  Shore.  Manship 
goes  with  me.  Robert  Thompson's  carriage  will  probably  meet  us  at  Bridge- 
ville.  I  had  another  letter  from  him  on  Saturday.  I  think  he  would  really 

suffer  if  I  failed  to  get  to  the  camp.     The  P family  are  as  kind  as  they 

can  be — God  bless  them !  I  have  not  heard  from  you  since  last  Wednes- 
day— that  is,  since  I  left.  When  I  reach  my  destination  this  evening  I  shall 
expect  to  find  letters.  May  our  kind  Heavenly  Father  take  good  care  of  the 
family  of  one  who  is  anxious  to  do  His  will.  My  soul  still  trusts  and  tri- 
umphs in  the  Rock  of  my  salvation." 

To  his  sister,  Miss  Mary  Cookman  : 

"August  17, 1866. 

"This  week,  after  Penn's  Grove,  I  went  down  to  Ennall's  Springs,  in 
Dorchester  County.  Oh,  how  my  good  Heavenly  Father  used  me  there ! 
Eternal  praises  to  His  glorious  name.  I  should  want  pages  to  tell  you  all. 
One  night  the  power  and  glory  of  God  came  down  in  the  preachers'  tent 
after  we  had  all  retired.  For  myself,  I  was  '  filled  with  the  Spirit.'  Such 
a  season  of  rejoicing  and  praise  I  never  witnessed.  It  was  an  inner  sanctu- 
ary filled  with  the  '  Shekinah.'  About  one  o'clock  at  night  we  went  around 
the  ground  shouting  the  praises  of  our  conquering  King. 

"  On  Wednesday  of  this  week  I  went  up  to  Halifax  camp-meeting,  above 
Harrisburg.  It  was  the  last  night  of  the  meeting,  but  oh,  what  a  night ! 
Old  Methodists,  who  had  been  going  to  camp-meeting  for  nearly  half  a 
century,  say  they  never  saw  any  thing  like  it.  Brother  George  Lybrand 
preached  very  forcibly  at  half-past  seven  o'clock,  and  invited  penitents. 
The  bench  was  filled.  At  eleven  o'clock  I  preached  to  the  Church  on  the 
subject  of  '  Holiness.'  Oh,  what  an  appetite  the  people  exhibited  !  We 
knelt  in  consecration  before  God,  then  followed  the  Sacrament  at  the  mid- 
night hour.  It  brought  us  to  Jesus;  He  saved  us  from  our  fears  and 
doubts,  and  salvation  flowed  down  in  floods.  The  preachers  and  people 
were  of  one  mind  and  heart  touching  the  great  subject  of  Christian  purity. 
I  could  not  tell  you  how  many  entered  into  the  rest  of  perfect  love.  The 


VICTORIES   OF   HOLINESS.  .  303 

preachers'  tent,  as  at  Ennall's  Springs,  was  submerged  with  the  incoming 
tide.  Yesterday  morning  we  gathered  at  the  stand,  listened  to  many  wit- 
nesses of  perfect  love,  expressed  some  parting  counsels,  received  the  blessing 
of  that  venerable  man,  Father  Boehm,  marched  around  the  ground,  and  then, 
amid  songs  and  shoutings,  took  the  parting  hand,  rejoicing  in  the  conviction 
that  Christians  never  part  for  the  last  time. 

"  Have  I  not  had  a  glorious  summer  ?  Hallelujah  to  the  Lamb  !  My 
soul  overflows  with  love,  joy,  and  praise.  I  never  felt  so  strong  in  the  Lord 
and  in  the  power  of  His  might.  And  then  the  victories  for  holiness  !  Op- 
position is  giving  way,  and  in  the  centenary  year  of  American  Methodism  the 
spotless  banner  of  Christian  purity  floats  triumphantly  in  the  breeze.  As 
Mr.  Fletcher  was  wont  to  say,  '  Oh,  for  a  gust  of  praise  to  go  around  the 
world,  and  then  to  go  up  to  God  !' 

"  How  I  could  enjoy  Sing-Sing  camp-meeting  again  !  The  scene  and  the 
showers  of  blessing  last  year  constitute  one  of  the  sweetest  memories  of 
my  life.  I  scarcely  know  how  to  deny  myself  the  privilege  of  seeing  those 
friends  whom  I  love  so  much  in  Jesus,  visiting  the  spot  where  last  year  I 
seemed  to  be  almost  visibly  covered  with  the  blood  of  Jesus,  and  enjoy  the 
influence  which  I  am  sure  will  be  abundantly  poured  out.  I  think,  howev- 
er, that  during  this  week  I  must  try  to  be  at  Shrewsbury.  It  seems  to  me 
that  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  will  perhaps  use  me  among  my  dear 
Baltimore  friends.  I  think  I  have  their  love  and  confidence,  and,  with  the 
help  of  the  Spirit,  I  can  assist  them  to  step  into  the  Bethesda  of  perfect  love. 
Will  you  not  ask  some  of  my  precious  friends  at  Sing-Sing  to  pray  for  me  ? 
I  have  no  special  claim  upon  them,  except  that  I  belong  to  the  little  band 
who  profess  and  advocate  holiness.  I  am  theirs  in  the  service  and  for  the 
glory  of  the  conquering  Christ.  Oh,  let  them  pray  that  God  will  give  me 
great  success  in  spreading  abroad  the  knowledge  of  full  salvation.  Only  a 
week  or  two  of  my  rest-time  remains.  It  has  been  glorious  rest  at  camp- 
meetings — glory  to  Jesus  ! 

"  The  family  are  all  well.  Your  little  pets,  Will  and  Mary,  are  de- 
veloping more  and  more  the  characteristics  which  have  drawn  you  to 
them.  Will  is  full  of  affection,  and  Mary  is  the  most  independent,  saucy 
little  miss  of  my  acquaintance.  Her  name  is  very  precious  in  our  home. 
I  should  like  our  gentle  mother  to  have  her  in  her  training  for  a  time, 
and  give  her  strong  will  a  goo^l  profitable  direction.  God  bless  you,  my 
dearest  sister.  His  counsel  is  guiding  you,  His  grace  will  satisfy  your 
every  need.  A  universe  of  love  to  dear  mother.  Oh,  how  much  I  would 
like  to  see  her !  Tell  John  to  take  very  good  care  of  himself — his  life 
is  very  dear  to  us  and  to  the  Church.  I  hope  he  stands  strong  and 


304  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

triumphant  in  that  wonderful  and  blessed  liberty  wherewith  I  know  he 
has  been  set  free." 

For  The  Christian  Advocate  of  New  York  : 

"A  MINISTER'S  VACATION. 

"  My  happy  holiday  was  spent  amid  rural  scenes,  at  the  sea-shore,  and  in 
the  enjoyment  of  camp-meeting  privileges.  The  sea-shore  is,  of  course,  for 
me  a  privileged  place,  a  locality  to  which  I  regularly  resort,  with  as  much 
of  tender  interest  and  blessed  recollection  as  others  would  go  to  the  grave- 
side of  a  dear  parent.  The  beautiful  country,  with  its  diversified  and  mag- 
nificent scenery,  never  seemed  more  charming,  and  principally  because  I  saw 
and  found  God  every  where.  For  is  it  not  true  that  as  the  human  face 
is  more  attractive  when  it  becomes  the  window  of  a  noble  soul,  so  the  face 
of  nature  seems  the  more  glorious  when  through  the  green  of  the  fields,  and 
the^deeper  green  of  the  forests,  and  the  ten  thousand  hues  of  the  variegated 
flowers,  we  behold  the  glory  of  that  Divinity  who  is  Himself  the  soul  of  the 
great  universe. 

"  CAMP-MEETINGS. 

"  But  it  is  of  my  camp-meeting  experiences  and  observations  that  I  wish 
principally  to  write.  In  the  kind  providence  of  God  I  was  permitted  to  be 
present  at  four  of  these  forest  services,  namely,  Penn's  Grove,  New  Jersey ; 
Ennall's  Springs,  Dorchester  County,  Maryland ;  Halifax,  Dauphin  County, 
Pennsylvania ;  and  Shrewsbury,  where  most  of  the  Baltimore  friends  annu- 
ally associate  themselves  in  this  feast  of  tabernacles. 

"  Two  leading  facts  met  my  observation  at  all  these  meetings.  First,  the 
interest  in  the  mind  of  the  Church  respecting  the  experience  of  personal 
holiness.  Every  where  ministers  and  people  were  groaning  for  full  redemp- 
tion in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  I  have  seen  hundreds  at  the  same  moment 
prostrated  before  God  in  the  spirit  of  entire  consecration,  arid  concerned  to 
appropriate  Jesus  as  their  full  and  perfect  Saviour. 

"A   MEMORABLE  SERVICE. 

"  Let  me  refer  to  a  truly  memorable  service  in  connection  with  the  Shrews- 
bury meeting.  At  half-past  nine  o'clock  on  Tuesday  night  the  preachers, 
by  arrangement,  assembled  in  their  own  tent  for  an  interchange  of  views 
respecting  this  great  doctrine.  There  were  about  twenty-five  brethren  pres- 
ent. The  expression  of  sentiment  was  frank  and  full.  Questions  were  asked. 
Difficulties  were  stated.  Experience  was  referred  to.  About  half-past  eleven, 
while  some  of  us,  greatly  concerned  and  earnestly  prayerful,  were  wondering 


SHREWSBURY  CAMP-MEETING.  305 

what  might  be  the  effect  of  the  interview,  it  was  proposed  that  we  have 
a  season  of  devotion  before  we  separated.  Kneeling  together,  the  pre- 
siding elder  of  the  Carlisle  District  led  in  prayer.  While  yielding  him- 
self afresh  and  more  fully  to  God,  and  accepting  Jesus  as  his  Redeemer 
from  all  sin,  salvation  came  in  its  fullness  to  his  soul,  and  he  was  over- 
whelmed with  emotion.  In  a  few  moments  he  gratefully  and  definitely  testi- 
fied,' '  Brothers,  Jesus  saves  me  now,  saves  me  so  fully  that  I  am  assured  if 
I  should  die  at  this  moment  I  would  certainly  go  to  join  the  blood-washed 
around  the  throne  in  heaven.'  A  hymn  of  praise  was  sung.  Then  another 
presiding  elder  stepped  into  the  Bethesda  of  perfect  love.  Directly  a  third 
presiding  elder  arose  and  said, '  Brethren,  I  will  honestly  state  that,  theoriz- 
ing on  this  subject  of  sanctification  for  the  last  eleven  years,  I  had  well-nigh 
theorized  my  heart  out  of  all  belief  of  the  doctrine.  To-night,  however,  I 
give  my  theories  to  the  winds,  and  I  want  to  testify  that  God  is  giving  me 
light — not  heat,  not  a  special  experience,  but  simply  light.'  A  little  while 
after  this  same  brother  rose  again,  and,  with  a  face  all  aglow,  said,  '  Breth- 
ren, glory  to  God !  I  have  both  now,  the  light  and  the  heat.  Oh,  I  know 
for  myself  that  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  me  from  all  sin.'  So  the 
meeting  proceeded,  one  after  another  stepping  into  the  full  liberty  of  the 
sons  of  God.  Young  ministers  were  rejoicing  in  Christ  as  their  perfect 
Saviour.  Superannuated  brethren  were  coming  out  more  clearly  into  the 
blessed  light  of  full  salvation.  Thus  for  six  hours  this  wonderful  and  glo- 
rious meeting  continued.  During  that  time  nineteen  brethren,  including  the 
three  presiding  elders,  took  the  three  steps  suggested — full  consecration, 
implicit  faith,  and  definite  confession.  At  half-past  three  in  the  morning 
this  band  of  brothers,  full  of  glory  and  of  God,  sallied  forth  from  the  preach- 
ers' tent,  and  marched  around  the  ground  singing, 

"  '  I  will  sprinkle  you  with  water, 
I  will  cleanse  you  from  all  sin, 
Sanctify  and  make  you  holy ; 
I  will  come  and  dwell  within.' 

Subsequently  they  became  apostles  of  holiness,  and  at  every  opportunity 
exhorted  the  Church  to  come  up  to  the  measure  of  their  privileges  in  the 
Gospel  of  Jesus.  Nor  in  vain,  for  all  over  the  Shrewsbury  camp-ground 
hundreds  were  seeking  and  large  numbers  entering  into  this  rest  of  faith 
and  love. 

"  MARYLAND   METHODISM. 

"  O  how  glorious  is  old  Maryland  Methodism,  standing  up  so  bravely  just 
now  in  the  midst  of  civil  and  ecclesiastical  disloyalty.     For  their  encourage- 


306  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

ment  we  took  occasion  to  say  that  the  Church  of  God  has  nothing  whatever 
to  fear  from  without.  Earth  and  hell  may  combine  to  accomplish  her  over- 
throw, but  all  in  vain.  Their  united  efforts  shall  only  be  overruled  for  our 
advantage.  The  danger  of  the  Church  is  entirely  from  -within.  Losing 
her  purity,  she  loses  her  power,  and  in  that  case  becomes  the  prey  of  her 
enemies.  If,  however,  I  reminded  them,  they  would  be  faithful  to  duty 
and  alive  to  privilege,  all  filled  with  the  Spirit,  then  God  would  be1  on 
their  side,  and  with  Omnipotence  for  them  they  would  surely  and  gloriously 
triumph. 

"  This  revival  of  the  doctrine  and  experience  of  holiness  is  in  our  view 
the  most  encouraging  fact  which  our  centenary  year  has  as  yet  developed. 

"  Let  the  friends  of  this  great  grace  rejoice,  for  the  spotless  banner  of 
Christian  purity  begins  again  to  float  in  triumph  upon  the  battlements  of 
American  Methodism. 

"  SANCTIFICATION   AND  SUCCESS. 

"  The  second  thing  which  profoundly  impressed  me  in  my  camp-meeting 
observations  was,  that  whenever  and  wherever  the  work  of  sanctification 
revived  among  professing  Christians,  the  work  of  God  revived  in  the  con- 
version of  sinners. 

"  At  Penn's  Grove  the  divine  influence  seemed  almost  irresistible.  As  the 
result  of  the  last  two  services  it  was  estimated  that  there  were  at  least  one 
hundred  conversions.  The  successes  at  the  other  meetings  were  signal  and 
glorious.  At  Shrewsbury  they  counted  up  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
converts.  The  intimate  and  indissoluble  connection  between  the  sanctifica- 
tion of  the  Church  and  the  salvation  of  the  world  was  most  strikingly  vindi- 
cated. And  is  it  not  always  so  ?  Does  not  God  usually  communicate  his 
Spirit  to  perishing  sinners  through  the  hearts  of  his  people  ?  Hence  the 
necessity  of  being  '  pure  in  heart '  and  '  filled  with  the  Spirit'  We  have 
taken  down  our  banners  from  the  forests  and  are  setting  them  up  in  our  sev- 
eral churches.  Our  Methodist  hosts  are  girding  themselves  for  the  fall  cam- 
paign. Next  month  will  be  the  most  interesting  October  of  our  denomina- 
tional history  we  have  ever  seen.  Shall  it  be  signalized  by  unprecedented 
success  ?  Shall  a  shout  of  victory  roll  up  from  Canada  to  the  Rio  Grande, 
and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  ?  Shall  American  Methodism,  rebap- 
tized  and  all  glorious  with  the  divine  presence,  prepare  to  march  down  her 
second  century  conquering  and  to  conquer  ?  We  believe  that  the  answer  to 
this  question  rests  with  the  Church  itself.  If  our  people  will  hold  fast  in 
theory,  realize  in  personal  experience,  testify  in  definite  confession,  and  ex- 
emplify in  daily  deportment  this  vital  doctrine  of  Christian  holiness,  then 
nothing  shall  stand  before  our  spiritual  power.  We  shall  show  ourselves 


ADVICE   TO   BELIEVERS.  307 

increasingly  mighty  through  God  in  the  pulling  down  of  the  strongholds  of 
sin  and  hell,  until  Christ  shall  every  where  reign  victorious,  and  the  whole 
earth  shall  be  full  of  the  glory  of  God.  Oh,  brother  Methodists  every  where, 
remembering  our  responsibilities,  let  us  be  holy  /" 

A  letter  to  a  prominent  citizen  of  Baltimore,  and  an  active 
layman  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  that  city,  indicates 
the  extent  to  which  his  services  were  useful  at  the  Shrewsbury 
meeting,  and  to  which  his  advice  was  subsequently  sought. 

To  Mr.  Samuel  Hinds,  of  Baltimore : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  September  3, 1866. 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  fraternal  letter.  Any  tidings  from  Shrewsbury, 
blessed  Shrewsbury,  would  be  welcome,  but  such  tidings  were  specially  grate- 
ful and  encouraging. 

"  Restoration  to  perfect  health,  or  the  reception  of  an  ample  fortune  in 
the  case  of  a  dear  friend,  ought  not  to  be  as  cheering  intelligence  as  the  fact 
that  one  we  love  has  by  faith  appropriated  a  perfect  Saviour,  and  is  living 
in  the  enjoyment  of  sanctifying  grace. 

" '  Glory  to  the  Lamb,'1  that  the  young  men  of  North  Baltimore  are  putting 
on  the  whole  panoply  of  God !  Full  of  the  Divinity,  and  valiant  for  the 
truth,  may  they  prove  themselves  mighty  in  pulling  down  the  strongholds 
of  sin  and  hell.  If  I  had  their  ear,  I  would  say,  with  a  brother's  love  and 
earnestness,  '  Hold  fast  to  that  -whereunto  ye  have  attained.''  Do  not  allow 
any  temptations  or  influences  to  lure  you  from  the  experience  and  profes- 
sion of  Christian  holiness.  For  Christ's  sake,  for  the  ChurcKs  sake,  for  the 
world's  sake,  for  the  sake  of  this  precious  doctrine,  for  the  sake  of  that  vir- 
gin purity  which  is  now  upon  your  souls — for  all  these  reasons  do,  I  be- 
seech you,  do  continue  steadfast  and  immovable,  testifying  humbly  but  defi- 
nitely that  'the  blood  of  Jesus  cleanseth  from  all  sin.' 

"  Let  no  one  think  for  a  moment  that  because  God  has  answered  his 
prayer,  and  granted  him  a  deeper  work  of  grace,  that  therefore  he  may  hope 
for  an  exemption  from  trials,  temptations,  and  difficulties.  These  will  come, 
but  if  we  are  '  looking  unto  Jesus  they  -will  not  move  us  off  the  Rock,  and  that 
is  the  important  matter.  In  the  time  of  conflict  or  darkness,  be  concerned 
about  two  things.  First,  Is  my  consecration  entire  ?  Yes.  Second,  Do  I 
this  moment  accept  and  trust  in  Jesus  as  my  perfect  Saviour  ?  Yes.  Then 
'all  is  well' — I  am  on  the  Rock.  The  Rock  may  be  in  the  valley  or  on  the 
hill-top,  in  the  cloud  or  in  the  sunshine — it  matters  not;  if  we  are  on  that 
sure  foundation,  all  is  well.  It  is  not  darkness  or  temptation  or  trial  that 


308  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

separates  the  soul  from  God — it  is  only  sin.     Let,  then,  our  trusting  souls 
adopt  as  their  motto, '  ANY  THING  BUT  SIN.' 

"The  days  I  spent  at  the  camp-meeting  were  among  the  happiest  and 
best  of  my  life.  Can  I  ever  forget  some  of  those  blessed  scenes  and  sea- 
sons ?  Sabbath  morning — Sabbath  evening ;  Tuesday  morning — Tuesday 
night  in  the  preachers'  tent ;  Wednesday  morning,  when  I  so  reluctantly 
withdrew  myself  from  those  hallowed  privileges.  Oh  !  I  remember  it  all..  It 
supplies  a  rich  feast  of  memory.  It  constrains  at  this  moment  a  heartfelt 
glory  to  the  Lamb.  I  shall  never  cease  to  praise  God  for  the  Shrewsbury 
camp-meeting  of  1866.  My  Baltimore  friends,  always  precious,  never  seemed 
so  dear  before.  Oh  !  I  want  to  walk  with  them  upon  the  king's  highway 
of  holiness,  and  after  a  while  spend  an  eternity  with  them  in  the  sweet 
groves  of  bliss.  Convey  to  any  whom  you  may  meet  assurances  of  my 
Christian  affection,  and  believe  me,  beloved  brother,  yours  for  full  salva- 
tion:1 

Another  honored  layman*  of  Baltimore,  alluding  to  Mr. 
Cookman's  labors  at  the  same  camp -meeting,  wrote  subse- 
quently : 

"  I  owe  more,  under  God,  to  Brother  Cookman  than  to  any 
other  being  for  the  experience  which  I  now  enjoy.  His  sweet 
voice,  ringing  out  so  clearly,  lBeyc  holy]  was  the  first  to  awaken 
in  my  mind  an  anxious  inquiry  on  the  subject  of  Christian  holi- 
ness. He  led  me  into  the  higher  life — into  the  possession  of 
a  brighter  and  deeper  religious  experience.  Now  that  he  has 
fallen,  I  feel  more  than  ever  like  being  true  to  the  doctrine, 
which  it  seemed  his  special  mission  so  forcibly  to  proclaim." 

To  his  mother : 

"PHILADELPHIA,  September  10, 1866. 

"  We  are  comfortably  ensconced  in  our  parsonage  home  after  the  ram- 
blings  of  our  summer  vacation — a  vacation  which  we  all  exceedingly  enjoyed, 
especially  myself.  Indeed,  it  was  the  most  delightful  holiday  of  my  life.  I 
was  able  to  commingle  physical,  social,  intellectual,  and  especially  religious 
pleasures,  so  that,  while  it  was  sweet  in  realization,  it  is  also  blessed  in  re- 
membrance. Toward  its  close  I  found  myself  at  the  famed  Shrewsbury 
camp-meeting,  arriving  on  a  Saturday  evening,  and  remaining  till  the  fol- 
lowing Wednesday.  Shall  I  say  that  these  were  the  three  greatest  and 

*  Mr.  John  Hurst. 


AN   APOSTLE   OF    HOLINESS.  309 

most  glorious  days  of  my  life  ?  Yes,  not  even  excepting  the  blessed  season 
we  enjoyed  at  Sing-Sing  last  year.  Indeed,  I  did  not  understand  or  appre- 
ciate before  how  our  Almighty  Father  could  use  a  worm  or  a  ram's  horn  for 
the  accomplishment  of  His  own  most  wonderful  purposes.  I  did  not  com- 
prehend how  the  possibilities  of  my  feeble  being,  energized  by  His  power 
and  accompanied  with  His  unction,  could  bring  about  such  glorious  results. 
He  made  me  an  apostle  of  holiness. 

"  Dr.  Roberts,  detained  at  home  by  the  serious  illness  of  a  patient,  the 
responsibility  of  cherishing,  teaching,  and  seeking  to  spread  this  vital  doc- 
trine devolved  upon  your  first-born.  Oh,  how  my  blessed  Heavenly  Father 
helped  me  !  I  was  a  marvel  to  myself.  The  interest  was  such  that  the 
largest  meeting-tents  would  not  suffice  to  accommodate  those  hungering  and 
thirsting  for  full  salvation  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  such  services 
had  to  be  held  at  the  stand.  All  over  the  ground  (and  there  were  nearly 
four  hundred  tents)  the  dear  friends  were  interested  on  this  subject  of  heart 
purity.  On  Tuesday  morning  I  preached  a  sermon  on  entire  sanctification. 
The  illumination  and  unction  vouchsafed  were,  I  think,  unprecedented  in 
my  history.  Oh,  what  power  I  had  in  appealing  to  the  preachers !  Hun- 
dreds of  interested  people  bowed  in  consecration.  Then  followed  the  Sacra- 
ment of  the  Lord's  Supper.  This  seemed  to  help  the  faith  of  the  multi- 
tude, and  we  had  a  day  of  days — a  day  that  some  will  remember  long  as 
eternal  ages  roll.  That  night  we  held  a  meeting  on  the  subject  in  ihepreach- 
crs'  tent,  especially  for  the  benefit  of  the  brethren  in  the  ministry.  About 
twenty-five  were  present.  \Ve  commenced  at  half-past  nine  o'clock,  and 
continued  till  past  three  in  the  morning — nearly  six  hours.  During  this 
time  nineteen  preachers,  including  three  presiding  elders,  stepped  into  the 
Bethesda  of  perfect  love.  Did  you  ever  hear  of  any  thing  so  wonderful  or 
glorious  ?  The  old  preachers,  of  fifty  years'  standing,  some  of  whom  expe- 
rienced that  night  for  the  first  time  the  broad  and  blessed  rest  of  full  salva- 
tion, declared  that  they  had  never  seen  it  in  that  wise  before. 

"  There  were  constant  inquiries  respecting  yourself,  with  the  strongest  ex- 
pressions of  tender  love  for  you  and  yours.  Bless  God  for  our  Baltimore 
friends.  During  the  last  ten  days  I  have  been  receiving  by  almost  every 
mail  letters  from  that  city  asking  for  my  humble  services,  or  expressing 
thanks  in  view  of  my  labors  at  the  camp-meeting.  Labors  in  my  home 
sphere,  where  the  tendency  is  to  worldliness,  seem  by  contrast  painfully 
tame  and  ineffectual. 

"  Last  week  we  had  the  Convention  of  Southern  Unionists  in  our  city — 
a  body  of  brave  and  noble  men.  Philadelphia  enthusiasm  was  in  a  blaze. 
Altogether  it  was  a  most  memorable  occasion." 


310  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

A  letter  written  to  his  sister,  February  i5th,  1867,  will  be  read 
with  interest  because  of  its  references  to  the  deaths  of  cherish- 
ed friends,  especially  that  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Munroe,  Secretary 
of  the  Church  Extension  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  whole  Church 
shared  in  the  feeling  of  sorrow  here  expressed  by  Mr.  Cook- 
man.  The  letter,  which  was  written  soon  after  from  the  seat 
of  the  Conference  at  Harrisburg,  will  recall  to  those  who  were 
present  the  tender  fidelity  which  he  showed  as  chairman  of  the 
committee  on  memorial  services  for  deceased  brethren.  The 
beautiful  service  for  rendering  the  occasion  impressive  was  due 
to  his  thoughtfulness.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Nadal,  who  was  then  a 
member  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  made  a  pleasant  al- 
lusion at  the  time  to  the  occasion  in  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Nadal.* 
The  letter  which  quickly  followed  to  Mrs.  Skidmore  will  be 
chiefly  valued  as  expressing  Mr.  Cookman's  views  of  a  contro- 
versy which  was  then  quite  active  in  the  New  York  Preachers' 
Meeting. 

To  Miss  Mary  Cookman  : 

"  February  15,  1867. 

"  We  have  had  an  unusually  solemn  week.  The  tribe  of  Levi,  with  its 
immediate  adherents,  seem,  in  the  providence  of  God,  to  have^been  placed 
in  the  front  of  the  battle.  The  arrows  of  death  are  flying  around  us  thick 
and  fast.  First  the  self-sacrificing  Bcckwith,  of  the  Bedford  Street  Mission, 
fell,  with  this  sentiment  upon  his  lips,  '  I  am  safe  in  Jesus — all  is  well.' 
Last  Saturday  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  William  Barnes  went  to  Heaven;  her 
last  words  were, '  I  have  fought  a  good  fight.'  Tuesday  I  made  the  address 
at  the  funeral  of  Helen  Batcheldor.t  and  accompanied  the  corttge  to  Trenton. 
Her  dying  testimony  was,  '  I  see  Jesus.'  On  Wednesday  we  had  the  fune- 
ral obsequies  of  the  lamented  Munroe,  one  of  the  most  useful  and  efficient 
ministers  of  American  Methodism.  It  was  one  of  the  most  impressive  occa- 
sions of  the  kind  I  ever  witnessed.  Hundreds  of  ministers,  great  multitudes 
of  people,  the  deepest  bereavement,  and  the  most  undisguised  affection,  the 

*  "The  New  Life  Dawning."     Nelson  &  Phillips,  New  York. 
t  Widow  of  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Batcheldor,  of  the  New  Jersey  Conference, 
and  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bartinc. 


MEMORIAL   SERVICES    FOR   DECEASED   MINISTERS.  311 

most  tender  and  touching  eulogies.  Munroe  died  gloriously.  It  was  virtu- 
ally a  translation,  while  the  character  of  the  man  and  the  circumstances  of 
his  death  make  the  event  a  sermon  addressed  to  a  continent.  Personally  I 
am  greatly  bereaved.  Dr.  Munroe  was  a  great  favorite  of  mine — one  of  my 
model  ministers.  My  estimate  of  him  is  expressed  in  the  resolutions  of  the 
Philadelphia  Preachers'  Meeting.  Dr.  Mattison's  address  on  the  occasion 
of  the  funeral  was  especially  beautiful.  I  wish  you  could  have  heard  it.  In 
the  midst  of  '  deaths  oft'  I  cling  to  that  perfect  love  that  casteth  out  all  fear, 
sweetly  realizing  that  with  my  life  hid  with  Christ  in  God,  nothing  shall  be 
able  to  separate  the  bond.  All  is  well — all  is  well." 

To  his  wife : 

"HARRISBURG,  March  15,  1867. 

*  *  *  "  This  morning  we  had  our  memorial  service.  As  one  of  the  com- 
mittee of  arrangements,  I  had,  of  course,  the  heavy  end  of  the  burden. 
Among  other  arrangements,  I  secured  from  the  city  some  beautiful  wreaths 
of  immortelles,  which  encircled  the  name  of  the  deceased  minister,  with  a 
record  of  the  time  of  his  birth  and  death.  Three  ladies,  one  in  each  aisle, 
brought  them  forward  at  the  right  time,  and  they  were  suspended  on  the 
wall  in  the  rear  of  the  pulpit.  The  conception  was  highly  appreciated,  and  its 
execution  was  most  successfully  carried  out.  This  afternoon,  with  about  two 
hundred  members  of  the  Conference,  I  proceeded  to  Carlisle,  where  the  col- 
lege faculty  and  students  gave  us  a  most  enthusiastic  reception.  I  can  not 
go  into  all  the  particulars  now,  but  it  was  a  splendid  time — a  literal  ovation. 
We  returned  about  half-past  six,  and  now  I  am  writing  in  the  parlor,  sur- 
rounded by  friends,  and  obliged  every  few  moments  to  lay  down  my  pencil 
and  respond  to  affectionate  inquiries.  To-morrow  afternoon,  God  willing, 
I  expect  to  go  to  Pittsburgh.  This  morning's  mail  brought  letters  from 

K and  Robert  S ,  who  are  very  importunate  in  their  solicitations  for 

my  presence  and  services.  There  is  considerable  interest,  they  say,  in  the 
Christ  Church  congregation.  I  am  enjoying  the  Conference  exceedingly. 
Our  morning  prayer-meeting  is  delightful — full  salvation  is  the  theme. 
Glory  to  the  Lamb." 

To  Mrs.  Skidmore,  of  New  York  : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  April  2, 1867. 

"  When  I  said  farewell  to  you,  I  did  not  intend  that  three  weeks  should 
elapse  before  the  transmission  of  the  promised  letter.  I  saw  you  with  my 
mind's  eye,  a  patient  invalid  confined  to  the  house,  and  I  said  if  my  poor 
words  may  prove  a  ray  of  sunshine  to  that  warm,  loving  heart,  how  cheer- 
fully and  even  joyfully  shall  they  be  penned.  Conference,  however,  came 


312  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

on,  and,  as  you  will  understand  (for  you  know  you  are  about  half-preacher), 
its  scenes  and  services  were  entirely  absorbing.  Our  session  was  one  of 
unusual  interest  and  harmony.  The  pastor  of  the  Harrisburg  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  echoing  the  desire  of  a  great  many  dear  friends  (many 
of  them  my  former  parishioners),  insisted  that  I  should  preach  on  the  first 
evening  of  the  Conference.  It  was  a  great  trial,  and  yet,  thinking  it  might 
be  in  the  order  of  God,  I  did  not  dare  to  refuse.  Selecting  my  favorite 
theme,  viz.,  entire  devotion  to  Jesus,  I  was  blessed  with  unusual  illumina- 
tion and  unction.  Each  morning  we  held  a  prayer  and  experience  meet- 
ing. These  services,  though  not  very  largely  attended,  were  seasons  of 
great  interest  and  blessing.  The  friends  of  holiness  rallied  (as  they  always 
do  in  devotional  services),  and  the  testimonies  respecting  the  power  and 
preciousness  of  full  salvation  were  decided  and  delightful. 

"  I  spent  the  Sabbath  of  Conference  with  my  Pittsburgh  friends.  Dr.  Mor- 
gan had  not  reached,  and  would  not  enter  upon  his  new  field  of  labor  before 
the  first  of  April.  This  was  a  little  to  be  regretted,  as  an  extraordinary  relig- 
ious awakening  seemed  to  pervade  the  entire  community — something  akin  to 
the  revival  scenes  and  successes  of  1857  and  1858.  The  other  denomina- 
tions, and  some  of  the  Methodist  churches,  were  reaping  blessed  harvests.  I 
preached  Sabbath  morning  and  evening,  and  again  on  Monday  night,  leav- 
ing for  Harrisburg  on  the  ten  P.M.  train.  A  letter  received  last  Saturday 
supplies  the  grateful  intelligence  that  at  least  two  young  men  were  influenced 
by  my  feeble  words.  Oh,  how  I  joy  to  be  instrumental  in  the  great  work  of 
saving  souls  !  The  authorities  (as  we  expected)  have  returned  me  to  Spring 
Garden  Street  the  third  year.  I  am  delightfully  situated  and  most  happy  in 
my  work.  God  is  using  me,  as  I  trust,  for  the  promotion  of  His  kingdom 
and  glory.  Our  Friday  meeting  is  unabated  in  its  interest  and  power.  The 
Tuesday  meeting,  too,  is  overflowingly  full.  Both  these  services  last  week 

were  unusually  precious  and  profitable.  Miss  S touched  beautifully 

on  the  importance  of  bringing  this  precious  grace  to  the  attention  of  our 
children,  relating  the  experience  of  a  little  girl  fourteen  years  of  age, 
one  of  her  scholars.  Oh,  how  I  wish  you  could  have  sat  with  us  in  our 
4  banquet! ng-house !' 

"  By-the-way,  what  think  you  of  the  articles  of  Drs.  Curry  and  Mattison  on 
the  subject  of  sanctification,  published  more  recently  in  the  columns  of  The 
Christian  Advocate  ?  It  seems  to  me  their  tendency  is  to  destroy  definite  aims 
and  discourage  distinctive  efforts.  How  grateful  we  should  be  that,  instead 
of  expressing  opinions,  we  can  testify  to  facts  that  arc  matters  of  personal 
consciousness — instead  of  saying  '  We  believe,'  we  can  humbly  declare  '  We 
know.'  This  expression  of  different  views  raises  in  my  mind  this  practical 


THE   MEMORY   OF    NEW   YORK    FRIENDS.  313 

inquiry,  '  What  right  have  men  to  be  restrained  by  views  concerning  spirit- 
ual doctrine,  when  that  doctrine  illustrates  and  vindicates  itself  in  personal 
experience  ?'  One  thing  is  clear :  those  who  are  walking  in  this  light  and 
liberty  are  not  perplexed  with  antagonizing  views,  but  understand  one  anoth- 
er and  enjoy  rest.  But  see !  here  I  am  at  the  end  of  my  fourth  page,  and 
just  beginning  my  letter. 

"  We  had  hoped  this  week  to  have  seen  you  face  to  face,  and  in  an  old- 
fashioned  t£te-a-t$te  traversed  a  much  larger  space  than  could  be  covered 
even  in  a  lengthy  epistle.  This,  however,  seems  impracticable.  I  can  not 
very  well  absent  myself  next  Sabbath.  We  are  hoping  that  about  the  time 
of  the  May  anniversaries  we  can  steal  away  for  a  few  days,  and  look  again  on 
cherished  faces  and  familiar  scenes  that  are  forever  embalmed  in  our  affec- 
tionate remembrance.  Our  failure  to  spend  Conference  week  in  New  York 
involves  a  disappointment,  but  it  seems  unavoidable.  Will  you  not  re- 
member us  tenderly  to  any  of  our  friends  whom  you  may  see  ?  In  closing 
my  letter,  allow  me  to  recur  to  your  recent  sojourn  in  our  city,  and  say  that 
we  enjoyed  it  more  than  language  can  express.  To  hear  your  voice  in  song 
and  prayer  and  testimony  called  up  vividly  the  blessed  past,  and,  with  our 
eyes  closed,  we  could  almost  imagine  ourselves  in  New  York,  surrounded 
by  as  superior  a  circle  of  Christian  friends  as  perhaps  was  ever  associated 
together.  Oh,  if  I  could  I  would  reach  up  to-day  and  every  day,  and,  taking 
a  great  armful  of  the  heavenly  glory,  I  would  fling  it  on  your  person  and 
path !" 

o 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

SPRING    GARDEN    STREET    CHURCH.  —  THE    NATIONAL    CAMP- 
MEETING   MOVEMENT. 

QUITE  early  in  the  Conference  year  of  1867,  the  thought  oc- 
curred to  some  of  the  friends  of  holiness  that  it  would  be  wise 
to  use  the  "camp-meeting"  as  a  distinctive  means  of  promoting 
the  doctrine.  The  suggestion  met  with  favor,  and  a  call  was 
accordingly  issued  to  those  who  were  inclined  to  co-operate  in 
such  a  movement  to  meet  in  Philadelphia. 

A  convention  was  held  in  pursuance  of  this  call,  and  it  was 
resolved  to  hold  a  camp-meeting  at  Vineland,  New  Jersey,  with 
the  avowed  object  of  advancing  the  doctrine  and  experience 
of  entire  sanctification.  Mr.  Cookman  was  one  of  those  who 
signed  the  call ;  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  deliberations  of 
the  Convention ;  he  sustained  by  voice  and  act  the  conclusions 
at  which  it  arrived,  and,  when  the  time  for  the  cajnp-meeting 
came,  no  one  entered  more  heartily  into  its  spirit,  purpose,  and 
methods  than  he  did.  His  feelings  immediately  before  the  camp- 
meeting  were  freely  expressed  to  his  friends  and  to  the  Church. 

To  Mrs.  Skidmore,  of  New  York  : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  July  2,  1867. 

"  We  thought  to  spend  Conference  week  in  New  York — then  our  visit 
was  postponed  till  Anniversary  week — then  a  trip  to  Montreal  on  the  oc- 
casion of  the  International  Convention  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciations was  seriously  meditated.  All  these  plans,  however,  were  frustrated, 
and,  instead  of  the  face-to-face  interview,  I  must  satisfy  myself  in  a  mere  ar- 
tificial and  unsatisfactory  way.  In  your  severe  and  protracted  ailment  we 
have  deeply  sympathized — our  interest,  a  reflection  of  the  tender  love  that 
overflows  the  heart  of  our  faithful  Lord.  To  every  body  bearing  the  im- 
print or  coming  from  the  direction  of  New  York,  the  first  question  has  been, 


VINELAND   CAMP-MEETING.  315 

'  Have  you  seen  or  heard  from  Sister  S ?'  '  Is  she  better  ?'  So  you  will 

understand  that  Philadelphia  still  answers  to  its  name,  '  The  city  of  brotherly 
love.1  You  have  doubtless  been  advised  of  our  Vineland  camp-meeting.  It 
is  rather  a  bold  movement  for  the  friends  of  holiness,  but  I  believe  it  is  in 
the  order  of  God,  and  will  be  accompanied  and  followed  by  blessed  results. 
Associated  with  the  originators  pf  this  enterprise,  I  can  bear  a  most  em- 
phatic testimony  to  the  purity  of  their  motives,  and  the  thoughtfulness, 
care,  and  earnest  supplication  to  God  that  characterized  all  their  delibera- 
tions. Indeed,  the  day  we  spent  together  in  this  city  making  arrangements 
was  one  of  the  blessed  days  in  my  life.  When  we  meet  I  will  give  you  all 
the  particulars. 

"Vineland  is  on  the  line  of  the  Cape  May  Railroad,  about  thirty  miles  from 
Philadelphia.  The  grove  in  which  the  meeting  will  be  held  covers  an  area 
of  forty  acres,  is  just  in  the  suburbs  of  the  town,  and  is  known  as  the  Public 
Park.  Used  for  picnics,  temperance  gatherings,  etc.,  the  undergrowth  has 
been  cleared  away,  so  that  the  ground  is  all  ready  for  our  accommodation. 
A  population  of  ten  thousand  are  associated  in  the  settlement,  temperate  and 
thrifty  people,  so  that  there  will  be  no  lack  of  immortal  material  to  reach 
and  benefit.  The  prospects  of  the  meeting  are  continually  brightening. 
Oh,  that  the  great  revival  of  holiness  that  signalized  1760  might  be  redu- 
plicated in  1867  !  Oh,  that  influences  might  be  vouchsafed  at  and  go  forth 
from  our  Vineland  meeting  that,  spreading  from  society  to  society,  may 
wrap  the  nation  and  the  world  in  a  great  flame  of  spiritual  revival ! 

"  Our  present  purpose  is  to  secure  a  tent,  take  a  part  of  the  family,  and  do- 
mesticate in  the  forest  for  ten  days.  Will  you  not  accompany  us  ?  We  will 
do  all  in  our  power  to  make  you  comfortable  and  happy.  If  sleeping  in  the 
woods  shall  be  deemed  imprudent  in  your  present  condition  of  health,  you 
can  have  a  room  at  one  of  the  hotels  that  are  in  the  town  adjoining.  But  I 
think  you  will  agree  with  me  that,  unless  -we  work  too  much,  physical  recu- 
peration is  as  probable  at  camp-meeting  as  at  Saratoga  or  Cape  May. 
Charles  Street  Church,  of  Baltimore,  will  go  almost  en  masse,  and  their  pastor 
is  most  hopeful  of  results. 

"  By-the-way,  writing  of  Baltimore  reminds  me  of  The  Episcopal  Method- 
ist. Did  you  see  the  criticism  upon  the  views  and  experience  of  one  of  your 
former  pastors,  written  by  Dr.  T.  E.  Bond,  my  old  friend  and  former  patron  ? 
— for  the  Doctor  helped  to  make  me  a  preacher,  and  was  one  of  my  first  and 
wisest  counselors.  His  interest  in  the  subject  of  personal  sanctification  at 
that  time,  often  expressed  at  our  home  where  he  led  his  class,  helped  to  in- 
crease my  desire  for  what  I  then  began  to  see  dimly  and  distantly.  One  of 
his  sententious  sayings  I  have  carried  as  an  axiom  for  many  years,  viz., 


316  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

'  Spiritual  doctrine  like  sanctification  can  not  be  tatcght,  it  must  be  acquired."1 
Acting  upon  this  practical  suggestion,  I  trust  that  with  his  blessed  sister  I 
have  reached  a  point  where,  instead  of  theorizing  or  speculating  or  doubt- 
ing or  criticising,  I  may  humbly  say  that  by  the  grace  of  God  '  I  know.' 
The  article  in  The  Episcopal  did  not  disturb  my  spiritual  rest  for  a  moment, 
nor  did  it  distantly  affect  my  respect  or  love  for  Dr.  Bond.  My  criticism  upon 
his  criticism  is,  that  I  never  knew  him  (one  of  my  favorite  writers)  to  write 
less  clearly  and  satisfactorily." 

To  the  Rev.  J.  S.  Inskip,  of  New  York : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  July  2, 1867. 

" '  Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  multiplied  to  you  and  your  faithful  help- 
meet, our  beloved  sjster  in  the  Lord.'  We  love  you  both  in  Jesus  Christ. 
Our  affection  sanctified  has  a  sacredness  in  it ;  and  then,  unlimited  by  our 
present  life,  it  is  to  continue  and  increase  forever.  I  always  liked  you,  for  we 
had  common  sympathies  in  the  fight  for  freedom,  but  now  that  the  perfect 
love  of  Jesus  fills  your  soul,  our  hearts  are  kindred  drops.  Do  you  remem- 
ber the  holy  baptism  we  received  together  in  Sing-Sing  forest,  when,  through 
the  cloudless  firmament,  the  glory  of  God  descending,  made  the  hour  forever 
memorable  in  our  history  ?  Oh,  that  at  Vineland  we  may  realize  still  more 
sensibly  a  closer  proximity  to  the  true  life,  and  from  this  blessed  source  re- 
ceive an  unusual  supply  of  life  and  purity  and  power  ! 

"  Our  contemplated  meeting  provokes  much  less  critical  comment  than  I 
had  anticipated — at  least  I  have  not  heard  of  any  unkind  animadversions. 
A  good  deal  of  interest  has  been  excited  in  many  minds.  The  Kensington 
friends  have  organized  a  company,  and  will  take  their  large  tent.  Quite  a 
number  connected  with  my  congregation  are  making  their  arrangements  to 
attend.  Some  members  of  other  denominations  will  go  from  our  city.  Old 
Baltimore  will  be  represented  by  fifty  or  sixty  of  the  Lord's  chosen  ones.  I 
think  the  interest  is  developing  gloriously,  and  because  the  Divine  is  in  it. 
Meanwhile  I  accept  your  proposition  to  employ  all  our  powers  with  God  for 
his  special  blessing  upon  this  unusual  effort  to  promote  His  glory.  Oh, 
that  it  may  be  a  time  of  times  !  Oh,  that,  as  in  1760,  a  revival  of  the  work  of 
holiness  may  begin,  that,  spreading  North,  South,  East,  and  West,  may  wrap 
the  nation,  the  continent,  and  the  world  in  a  great  flame  of  devotion  to  Jesus ! 
Mighty  faith  in  an  Almighty  Saviour  !  Let  this  be  our  key-note,  and  let  all 
the  people  say,  Amen  !  Brother  Osborne  has,  of  course,  furnished  you  with 
all  the  particulars  respecting  the  location,  tent  arrangements,  etc.,  etc.  Now, 
farewell !  God  be  with  you,  and  abundantly  bless  you.  After  a  while  we 
arc  going  to  live  together  forever." 


SUCCESS   OF   VINELAND   CAMP-MEETING.  317 

The  Vineland  camp-meeting  began  on  July  lyth,  and  con- 
tinued for  ten  days.  The  supporters  of  the  movement  were  well 
satisfied  with  the  experiment.  Many  ministers  and  laymen 
from  all  parts  of  the  country  attended  its  services,  and  the  re- 
sults were  so  marked  by  the  utter  absence  of  all  extravagance, 
and  the  positive  fruits  of  regeneration  and  sanctification,  that 
not  only  were  the  originators  of  the  movement  confirmed  in 
their  opinions  as  to  the  utility  of  the  method,  but  many,  who  at 
the  commencement  entertained  doubts,  became  thoroughly  con- 
vinced. Among  those  who  attended  the  meeting  and  partici- 
pated in  its  exercises  were  Bishop  Simpson  and  his  family. 
The  bishop's  eldest  son  was  converted  there,  and  the  March 
following  died  in  peace. 

In  no  respect  have  the  bishops  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  shown  more  wisdom  than  in  their  promptness  to  coun- 
tenance all  movements  in  the  Church  looking  to  the  advance- 
ment either  of  its  moral  purity  or  the  more  thorough  and  ef- 
ficient working  of  its  ecclesiastical  polity.  Bishop  Simpson,  in 
this  instance  as  in  others,  did  not  stand  aloof  because  of  the 
possible  clangers  which  might  be  suggested  to  calm  criticism ; 
but,  seeing  good  and  true  men  honestly  engaged  in  an  enter- 
prise which  in  his  opinion  was  at  variance  neither  with  the  doc- 
trines nor  the  usages  of  Methodism,  he  gave  them  his  presence 
and  co-operation. 

Mr.  Cookman  was  present  with  his  family  from  the  first  to 
the  last  of  the  meeting,  and  worked  incessantly  for  its  success — 
preaching,  praying,  exhorting  with  unusual  unction  and  power. 
His  sermon  on  the  occasion,  from  i  Thess.  iv.,  3,  "This  is  the 
will  of  God,  even  your  sanctification,"  made  a  strong  impression 
for  the  clearness  and  force  with  which  it  set  forth  the  definitive 
experience  in  the  interest  of  which  the  meeting  had  been  called. 

Such  was  the  success  of  this  meeting  in  the  judgment  of  the 
friends  present,  that  the  question  of  holding  one  of  like  charac- 
ter at  some  time  during  the  ensuing  year  thrust  itself  upon 


318  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

them.  It  appeared  that  God  might  be  pointing  them  to  a 
broad  and  permanent  means  of  carrying  forward  a  general  re- 
vival of  "holiness"  in  the  Church.  They  accordingly,  before 
leaving  the  ground,  after  a  full  and  prayerful  conference,  de- 
termined to  hold  another  meeting  the  next  year,  and  also  form- 
ed an  "Association"  for  its  control,  and  the  control  of  all  similar 
meetings  which  it  might  be  deemed  expedient  to  hold. 

I  quote  from  an  article  of  which  the  Rev.  William  McDonald 
is  the  author : 

"  At  a  business-meeting  of  those  who  signed  the  call  for  the  Vineland 
meeting,  met  to  consider,  among  other  things,  the  question  of  holding  an- 
other meeting,  the  ensuing  summer,  Brother  Cookman  was  present,  giving 
his  heartiest  support  to  the  measure.  In  that  memorable  meeting  the  '  Na- 
tional Camp -meeting  Association'  was  formed.  It  was  born  of  prayer. 
The  brethren  knelt.  Brother  Cookman  prayed  with  almost  unexampled 
fervency,  as  though  a  great  battle  was  near,  and  that  victory  could  only  be 
secured  through  the  leadership  of  the  Captain  of  our  salvation — the  Lord 
of  Hosts.  While  yet  on  their  knees,  the  Association  was  formed,  and  all  the 
business  of  that  meeting  was  transacted.  No  one  present  on  that  occasion 
will  forget  how  mightily  he  prayed  for  God's  blessing  on  the  work  to  which 
he  was  fully  persuaded  they  had  been  called  from  above. 

"Brother  Cookman  was  appointed  one  of  the  committee  to  secure  a  suit- 
able location  for  the  coming  year ;  and,  on  account  of  his  special  interest  in 
the  neighborhood,  Manheim,  Lancaster,  Pa.,  was  selected."* 

Thus  was  organized  a  movement  which  may  prove  an  epoch 
in  the  history  of  American  Methodism.  It  certainly  marked  a 
period  in  Mr.  Cookman's  career.  He  was  well  and  favorably 
known  by  reputation  throughout  the  Church  before ;  but  his  in- 
timate connection  with  the  work  of  this  Association  threw  him 
personally  upon  the  whole  Church,  and  in  contact  with  many  of 
its  best  representatives,  to  such  extent  as  to  very  greatly  multi- 
ply his  influence.  In  it  God  seemed  about  to  answer  his  prayer 
from  the  lips  of  the  holy  Fletcher,  "  Oh,  for  a  gust  of  praise  to 
go  around  the  world  and  then  go  up  to  God!"  Either  by  voice 
*  Advocate  of  Christian  Holiness,  vol.  iii.,  No.  I,  p.  3, 4.  July,  1872. 


NATIONAL  CAMP-MEETING  ASSOCIATION.  319 

or  report  his  usefulness,  hitherto  confined  to  local  limits,  was 
about  to  spread  to  well-nigh  every  section  of  our  vast  population. 

He  felt  that  for  him  the  opportunity  thus  afforded  was  provi- 
dential. God  had  been  making  him  a  light,  and  now  had  pro- 
vided him  with  the  stand  whence  the  light  could  shine  to  all 
who  are  in  the  nation.  The  National  Association  did  not  create 
him.  it  simply  revealed  him  to  the  people,  and  thus  made  the 
circle  of  his  influence  commensurate  with  his  endowments. 
This  is  the  way  ordinarily  in  which  God  works — circumstances 
do  not  make  men,  He  makes  the  men  who  can  understand  and 
use  the  circumstances.  As  I  have  previously  maintained,  Al- 
fred Cookman  had  a  "faculty"  for  religion — in  this  respect  he 
was  as  really  great  as  other  men  who  have  a  faculty  for  poetry 
or  science — and  this  faculty,  partly  constitutional,  but  pre-emi- 
nently supernatural,  enabled  him  to  see  God's  purposes  as  few 
men  could,  and,  seeing  them,  to  follow  whither  they  pointed. 

Whatever  may  be  said  as  to  the  merits  of  the  issue  involved 
in  the  National  Camp-meeting  Association,  it  is  certain,  that 
Mr.  Cookman  was  fully  committed  to  its  support,  and  was  in 
strict  accord  with  its  purpose.  The  proper  presentation  of  his 
life  has  to  do  with  the  question  only  so  far  as  his  relation  to  it 
is  concerned  ;  and  the  advocacy  of  the  movement  is  pertinent 
only  so  far  as  the  desire  is  felt  to  make  it  appear  that  he  was 
wise  in  upholding  it.  The  originators  of  the  movement  antici- 
pated that  it  would  not  meet  with  universal  favor.  This  could 
not  be  expected ;  for  while  the  whole  Christian  Church  from 
the  beginning  has  never  lost  sight  of  the  doctrine  usually  ex- 
pressed by  the  terms  "perfection"  or  "sanctification,"  yet  it 
has  been  always  more  or  less  divided  in  opinion  as  to  whether 
the  state  indicated  is  attainable  in  the  present  life ;  or,  if  attain- 
able, whether  ever  attained ;  and,  if  both  attainable  and  attained, 
whether  attained  gradually  or  instantaneously. 

It  must  be  conceded  that  Wesleyan  theology,  as  expounded 
by  Mr.  Wesley,  Mr.  Fletcher,  and  their  immediate  successors, 


320  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Messrs.  Clarke,  Watson,  and  Bunting,  and  by  the  leading  divines 
of  both  British  and  American  Methodism  of  this  day,  teaches 
that  the  experience  of  entire  sanctification  may  be  attained  both 
gradually  and  instantaneously.  The  preponderance  of  opinion 
is  that,  however  gradual  in  any  case  the  work  may  be,  there  is 
an  instant  when  the  blessing  is  received,  and  from  which  the 
consciousness  of  the  believer  may  date  his  entrance  into  per- 
fect love.  The  teaching  and  habit  of  Methodism  have  also 
been  from  the  commencement  to  insist  upon  this  experience  as 
the  privilege  of  all  believers,  and  to  urge  them  to  its  prompt  at- 
tainment as  the  fulfillment  of  the  true  ideal  of  the  Christian 
life.  To  the  questions,  "  Do  you  expect  to  be  made  perfect  in 
love  in  this  life  ?  Are  you  groaning  after  it?"  Methodist  preach- 
ers who  are  candidates  for  admission  into  the  ministry  are  ex- 
pected to  answer  affirmatively ;  and  Methodism  does  not  recog- 
nize one  law  of  the  spiritual  life  for  its  ministers  and  another 
for  its  laymen. 

If,  therefore,  the  doctrine  of  both  a  gradual  and  instantaneous 
sanctification  be  Wesleyan,  it  certainly  can  not  be  regarded  as 
anti-Wesleyan  to  use  special  efforts  to  promote  it.  Methodism 
itself  in  its  rise  was  a  specialty — a  revival  of  primitive  Chris- 
tianity— and  in  its  whole  work  was  regarded  as  a  rather  irregular 
movement,  in  that  it  sought  to  accomplish  its  purpose  by  meth- 
ods apart  from  ordinary  usages.  Though  demanding  of  its  ad- 
herents no  doctrinal  test,  there  never  was  a  system  more  exact 
in  its  definition  of  spiritual  truth  ;  it  has  declared  plainly  what 
is  heart-religion ;  it  has  invariably  aimed  at  definitive  results, 
and  has  as  invariably  used  definitive  means  to  secure  them. 

If  there  be  one  foe  of  Truth  and  Piety  which  Methodism  by 
its  very  genius  and  traditions  has  fought,  it  is  vagueness  of  faith 
and  practice ;  the  vagueness  which  allows  spiritual  doctrine  to 
dissolve  into  mysticism,  sound  morality  into  sentimentalism, 
and  decisive  methods  into  a  spiritless,  aimless  mechanism. 
Any  thing,  Methodism  has  claimed,  but  the  uniformity  of  death. 


SPECIAL   AIMS   AND   METHODS.  321 

It  always  would  have  life  j  it  believes  there  can  be  no  life  with- 
out motion ;  born  itself  in  a  blaze  of  fire,  it  must  spread  by  cre- 
ating excitement,  if  that  be  the  only  way  it  can  arouse  attention. 
Indebted  to  men  and  means  regarded  as  irregular  for  its  un- 
precedented growth,  it  can  not  cease  to  cherish  those  who  still 
feel  that  they  may  legitimately  work  for  its  advancement  by  and 
even  beyond  its  regular  appliances ;  comprehensive  in  its  faith 
and  polity,  it  holds  that  where  an  object  ought  to  be  effected, 
there  is  a  way  to  effect  it,  and  that  this  way  is  usually  the  one 
which  goes  straight  to  the  object  and  deals  specifically  with  it; 
like  all  true  reforms,  it  first  ascertains  and  points  out  the  evil 
to  be  removed,  and  then  seeks  the  best  and  surest  means  of  its 
accomplishment. 

All  progress  proves  that  general  sentiment  can  not  be  de- 
pended upon  for  appreciable  results,  only  as  it  is  concentrated 
and  directed  to  specific  ends.  Society  is  lifted  up  and  impelled 
forward  by  those  men  who  see  particular  issues  in  advance  of 
their  times,  and  precipitate  the  virtues  of  their  fellows  into  con- 
flict to  gain  them.  The  great  masses  of  mankind  are  ever 
prone  to  a  dull  level  of  fair  and  easy  goodness,  and  would  con- 
stantly sink  lower  and  lower,  until  goodness  would  lose  all 
Christian  distinctiveness,  all  the  pathos  of  devotion,  and  all  the 
vigor  of  spiritual  heroism,  were  not  God  to  send  out  now  and 
then  his  prophets,  who,  moving  among  them  in  their  fiery  zeal 
and  stern  faith,  call  them  up  to  a  higher  and  sharper  life. 

The  danger  of  creating  a  "  class  "  will  lie  against  all  move- 
ments in  the  direction  of  progress,  whether  in  the  Church  or  in 
society.  All  forms  of  life  spread  by  organization,  and  every 
organization  which  seeks  the  propagation  of  any  truth,  by  the 
very  fact  may  be  supposed  to  assume  a  sort  of  superiority,  and 
thus  constitute  itself  a  class.  What  is  the  Church  in  any  com- 
munity but  the  assertion  of  a  moral  and  spiritual  superiority  in 
the  persons  who  compose  it  to  the  unregenerate  people  around 
them  ?  This  is  the  point  of  offense  in  the  Church  with  a  criti- 

02 


322  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

cal  outside  world,  and  yet  it  is  not  regarded  as  a  valid  or  avoid- 
able one  by  those  who  hold  to  the  belief  that  the  "  community 
of  the  regenerated,"  or  body  of  believers,  are  the  divine  leaven 
which  is  to  spread  until  it  assimilates  to  itself  the  entire  un- 
believing mass.  The  law  of  the  diffusion  of  Christ's  king- 
dom is  through  the  intensified  lives  of  the  comparatively  few. 
Single  individuals,  or  groups  of  individuals,  in  whom  the  Holy 
Ghost  has  wrought  a  profounder  faith,  seem  to  be  the  appointed 
reservoirs  of  a  higher  life.  Christ  deposited  the  mysteries  of 
the  Kingdom  with  twelve  disciples ;  the  first  Reformers  were  a 
small  band  in  the  Catholic  world ;  the  Moravians  a  devout 
brotherhood  in  the  Protestantism  of  Germany;  Methodism  was 
merely  a  revival  society  within  the  Church  of  England.  Thus 
we  have  disclosed  a  wondrous  provision  for  the  restoration, 
maintenance,  and  growth  of  the  doctrinal  and  spiritual  purity 
of  the  Church.  The  vindication  from  the  charge  of  "class  in- 
terest "  is  the  fruit  produced. 

The  whole  question  with  regard  to  the  National  Association 
reduces  itself  simply  to  one  of  control.  The  spirit  of  Meth- 
odism and  its  history  justify  their  movement,  and  it  only  re- 
mains for  them  to  prosecute  their  work  in  accordance  with  this 
spirit  and  history.  Their  separate  meetings  for  conference  have 
support  in  Mr.  Wesley's  advice:  "That  consequently  it  behooves 
us  to  speak  in  public  almost  continually  of  the  state  of  justifi- 
cation, but  more  rarely,  at  least  in  full  and  explicit  terms,  con- 
cerning entire  sanctification."*  Meetings  called  especially  for 
the  purpose  give  opportunity  for  carrying  out  this  advice  bet- 
ter than  promiscuous  assemblies. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  Mr.  Cookman  was  fully  committed  to 
the  movement.  He  was  far  from  denying  to  those  who  could 
not  see  their  way  to  espouse  its  principles  and  methods  of  ac- 
tion equal  sincerity  with  himself;  but  he  was  positivffin  assum- 
ing that  it  was  of  God,  and  that  under  the  divine  guidance 
*  Watson's  Life  of  Wesley,  p.  168.  John  Mason,  London. 


'    CONTROVERSY    ESCHEWED.  323 

would  render  incalculable  service  to  the  cause  of  Christian 
perfection.  He  could  not,  therefore,  but  regard  violent  oppo- 
sition to  it  as  an  effort  to  hinder  the  spread  of  scriptural  ho- 
liness. 

The  National  Camp-meeting  Association  has  from  its  incep- 
tion eschewed  controversy.  It  has  sought  to  do  its  work  by  as- 
suming that  the  doctrine  of  entire  sanctification  is  both  scriptur- 
al and  Wesleyan,  already  the  established  theory  of  the  Church, 
and  needed  only  to  be  explained,  enforced,  and  realized — and 
so  has  striven  in  a  quiet  spirit  to  accomplish  its  end.  In  this 
respect  and  in  one  other — having  originated  without  pre-con- 
ceived  plan  —  it  bears  close  resemblance  to  the  rise  of  Meth- 
odism itself.  The  Rev.  George  Hughes,  secretary  of  the  com- 
mittee, in  a  "Special  Request"  to  the  adherents  of  the  Associa- 
tion, used  these  words : 

"  The  '  National  Association  for  the  Promotion  of  Holiness,'  having  its  or- 
igin, as  we  believe,  in  Divine  Providence,  is  a  very  simple  organization.  It 
has  no  Constitution  or  By-Laws.  Its  members  are  bound  together  by 
bonds  of  love  and  prayer.  No  organization,  perhaps,  ever  transacted  so 
much  business  on  their  knees.  It  is  composed  of  ministers  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  but  is  by  no  means  sectarian  in  its  aims.  Its  primal 
object  was  to  awaken  a  deeper  interest  in  the  Methodist  Church  in  regard 
to  this  cardinal  doctrine  of  Christianity,  and  expressly  to  be  instrumental  in 
leading  ministers  and  members  to  the  experience  of  this  rich  grace  ;  and  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church  has  been  pleased  to  give  them  abundant  success 
in  both  of  these  departments.  But  not  for  the  Methodist  Church  alone  do 
they  labor — but  for  the  universal  Church,  and  Providence  has  opened  'great 
and  effectual  doors'  beyond  our  own  limits.  Other  churches  have  been 
feeling  the  influence  of  national  camp-meetings,  and  the  sacred  fire  is  burn- 
ing upon  many  altars."* 

In  closing  this  "  Request,"  he  urged  united  prayer,  that  on 
the  day  of  the  Association's  annual  meeting  "such  a  baptism 
may  fall  upon  every  one  assembled  as  will  lead  the  members 
of  the  Association  to  prove,  as  never  before,  the  enduring  power 
of  perfect  love — a  love  that  endureth  all  things ;  and  that  with 
*  Methodist  Home  Journal,  Philadelphia,  October  12, 1872. 


324  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

* 

meekness  and  quietness,  under  all  circumstances,  they  may  pur- 
sue their  way ;  and,  further,  that  they  may  be  wisely  directed  in 
their  plans  for  1873." 

No  society  was  ever  more  in  accord  with  primitive  Christian 
custom  as  to  its  origin  and  organization,  or  could  be  more  sim- 
ple and  exact  in  its  aim,  or  more  thoroughly  Catholic  in  its  ani- 
mating spirit.  While  all  the  godly  men,  thus  banded  together, 
harmonized  upon  these  truly  scriptural  principles  of  action, 
it  may  yet  be  clearly  seen  that  Mr.  Cookman  had  no  small 
share  in  their  adoption  and  maintenance.  Sufficient  extracts 
have  been  given  from  his  letters,  and  many  more  might  be  given 
from  his  unpublished  manuscripts,  to  show  that  he  deprecated 
"  controversy,"  as  not  suited  to  promote  the  work  of  sanctifi- 
cation.  He  preferred  to  rest  the  doctrine,  after  an  honest  effort 
to  set  it  forth,  upon  the  self-evidencing  claim  with  which  it  ap- 
peals to  all  earnest  believers — showing  itself  by  its  own  light 
as  well  suited  to  meet  the  sense  of  need  which  the  Holy  Spirit 
awakens  in  all  believing  hearts.  The  Pauline  method  was  his: 
"  By  manifestation  of  the  truth  commending  ourselves  to  every 
man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of  God."  This  course  sound 
judgment  dictated  to  him  ;  but  much  more  that  broad,  pure 
charity  in  which  he  lived.  Love  evolved  the  light  in  which  and 
with  which  he  saw  all  religious  questions. 

A  quotation  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Inskip,  President  of  the  Asso- 
ciation, is  pertinent  just  here : 

"  I  want  to  advert  to  his  intimate  relations  with  the  National  Camp-meet- 
ing Association.  He  attended  the  first  meeting,  and  he  was  on  his  knees 
leading  in  prayer  with  his  brethren  when  God's  Spirit  impressed  them  to 
hold  such  a  meeting.  All  the  work  of  arranging  for  the  services  of  that 
meeting  was  done  while  kneeling,  and  then  we  took  hold  of  hands  and 
promised,  with  God's  -help,  to  carry  on  the  work,  and  never  answer  any 
thing  that  was  said  against  us.  That  covenant  has  been  unbroken,  and  re- 
membered with  more  interest  because  he  has  gone  who  suggested  such  a 
course."* 

*  Methodist  Home  Journal,  September  7, 1872. 


MOTIVES   OF   THE   NATIONAL   COMMITTEE.  325 

The  counsel  of  Mr.  Wesley,  with  regard  to  the  spirit  of  teach- 
ing holiness,  had  evidently  sunk  deep  into  his  heart,  and  un- 
doubtedly had  much  to  do  with  the  sweet  and  kindly  policy 
which  he  recommended  to  the  Association : 

"  Does  not  the  harshly  preaching  perfection  tend  to  bring  be- 
lievers into  a  kind  of  bondage  or  slavish  fear? 

"  It  does.  Therefore  we  should  always  place  it  in  the  most 
amiable  light,  so  that  it  may  excite  only  hope,  joy,  and  desire."* 

Eager  as  Mr.  Cookman  was  to  avail  himself  of  the  opportu- 
nity of  personal  effort  under  the  auspices  of  the  Association, 
and  deeply  as  he  felt  his  obligations  to  the  delightful  fellow- 
ships into  which  it  introduced  him,  and  which  were  so  signally 
helpful  to  his  growth  in  perfect  love,  he  after  all  prized  the 
movement  more  for  its  general  aspects,  as  a  grand  agency 
raised  up  without  respect  to  individuals  for  the  spread  of  holi- 
ness in  America.  It  was  originated  for  the  furtherance  of  what 
he  regarded  as  the  "  pearl  of  doctrines,"  and  he  believed  that 
it  would  lead  the  Church  up  to  a  higher  standard  of  faith  and 
living,  and  so  fulfill  God's  will.  As  late  as  September,  1870,  he 
wrote  in  reference  to  his  associates  and  himself  in  connection 
with'  the  "  committee :" 

"  Our  motives  are  pure,  our  work  providential,  our  success  of 
God.  Still  there  are  some  who  would  hinder  the  spread  of 
scriptural  holiness.  Be  it  so.  God  is  our  judge,  and  in  heaven 
we  shall  have  our  reward.  It  would  have  been  much  easier  to 
spend  my  vacation  of  thirty  days  in  resting  at  Cape  May  or 
some  other  place  than  in  hard  ministerial  toil." 

Mr.  Cookman's  attendance  upon  the  Vineland  camp-meet- 
ing, and  identification  with  the  National  Association,  did  not 
abate  his  zeal  for  the  camp-meetings  held  under  the  ordinary 
auspices  of  the  Church.  The  summer  of  1867  found  him  on 
his  customary  rounds  to  these  favorite  resorts.  His  vacation, 
as  heretofore,  was  spent  in  incessant  labor.  A  letter  to  his 
*  Watson's  Life  of  Wesley,  p.  171.  John  Mason,  London. 


326  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

wife  from  Ennall's  Springs  camp-ground,  Dorchester  County, 
Md.,  is  an  index  to  the  whole. 
To  his  wife : 

"ENNALL'S  SPRINGS  CAMP-GROUND,  Monday  morning. 
"This  morning's  sermon  has  just  now  closed,  and  I  will  take  this  oppor- 
tunity to  redeem  my  promise  of  a  letter.     Interested  in  all  that  concerns 
me,  you  will  want  to  know  respecting  my  progress  since  our  farewell  on  the 
Susquehanna.    The  train  took  me  first  to  York.    After  the  lapse  of  an 

hour  we  started  again,  and  reached  Baltimore  about  six  P.M.     Dr.  H 

and  son  were  waiting  for  me.  Quartered  at  his  home,  I  received  every  at- 
tention and  kindness.  During  the  evening  I  called  on  a  number  of  friends, 
sat  up  till  midnight,  and  the  following  morning  was  driven  in  the  Doctor's 
carriage  to  the  steam-boat.  There  were  a  number  of  friends  on  board — 
Revs.  Clemm,  French,  S.  Evans,  Tomkinson,  and  also  a  good  many  Balti- 
more friends.  The  sail  was  delightful,  the  dinner  excellent,  and  at  half-past 
two  P.M.  Sherman's  Landing  was  reached.  Brother  Robert  Thompson's 
carriage  was  waiting.  Taking  our  seats,  we  had  a  pleasant  ride,  and  met 
on  the  ground  a  most  enthusiastic  welcome.  *  *  *  The  tents  and  arrange- 
ments of  the  camp-ground  are  the  neatest,  coziest,  and  most  comfortable  I 
have  ever  seen.  Brother  R.  Thompson  has  his  two-story  home  prettily 
furnished  with  tasteful  cornice  and  curtains  and  blinds.  It  is  the  most 
perfect  cottage  I  have  ever  seen.  Yesterday  there  was  a  great  multitude 
of  people  assembled  here.  The  weather  having  changed  to  a  bright 
and  beautiful  day,  Brother  Clemm  preached  in  the  morning  on~'  I  am  not 
ashamed,'  etc.  I  preached  in  the  afternoon  on  '  From  him  that  hath  not 
shall  be  taken  away  even  that  which  he  hath.'  The  large  congregation  was 
quiet  and  singularly  attentive.  I  trust  good  was  accomplished.  There  are 
not  more  than  eight  or  ten  preachers  on  the  ground,  but  more  will  come  to- 
day and  during  the  week.  There  is  great  deadness  among  the  members, 
and  thus  far  comparatively  little  has  been  accomplished.  I  led  the  eight 
o'clock  prayer-meeting  this  morning.  We  had  a  profitable  meeting.  Vine- 
land  formed  such  a  contrast  that  it  makes  every  thing  else  seem  tame.  We  ' 
are  treated  here  like  kings  and  queens.  Yesterday  at  dinner,  roast  goose, 
fried  chickens,  barbecued  chickens,  roast  lamb,  ham,  potatoes,  squashes,  cu- 
cumbers, beets,  corn,  jellies,  pickles,  etc.,  etc.  On  Thursday  I  want  to  re- 
turn to  Baltimore,  look  in  on  the  Waters  camp-ground,  and  on  Monday  eve 
return  to  Columbia.  When  you  write  to  our  dear  boys  give  them  a  father's 
love.  Remember  me  affectionately  to  all  at  home.  Kiss  the  children  for 
me." 


A   HAPPY   SUMMER.  327 

A  sister-in-law,  writing  to  his  mother,  Mrs.  Mary  Cookman, 
September  9,  1867,  says:  "Alfred  looks  remarkably  well;  he 
weighs  now  one  hundred  and  sixty-seven  pounds.  He  says  he 
thinks  this  has  been  the  happiest  summer  of  his  life,  and  that 
he  has  been  fully  rewarded  for  what  many  persons  would  call 
labor." 

To  his  wife  : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  Saturday  morning. 

"  I  do  not  know  that  this  will  reach  you  before  Monday  morning,  when 
you  start  for  Philadelphia ;  nevertheless  it  may,  and  I  know  it  will  be  satis- 
factory to  hear  from  the  'Itinerant.' 

"  Last  evening  I  returned  from  the  Eastern  Shore.  To  say  that  I  had  a 
delightful  or  glorious  time  only  feebly  expresses  the  truth.  I  was  received 
and  treated  almost  as  if  I  had  been  an  angel.  It  was  one  of  the  happiest 
and  best  weeks  in  my  life.  There  were  about  one  hundred  tents,  beautiful 
weather,  fine  congregations,  good  preaching,  and  great  success.  I  preached 
twice  (Tuesday  morning  and  Thursday  evening),  and  worked  hard  all  the 
time.  My  soul  was  in  heaven.  Oh,  what  precious  experiences  God  vouch- 
safed me  in  that  consecrated  grove,  and  how  wonderfully,  how  unusually  he 
used  me  !  This  week  I  think  surely  I  have  been  in  the  order  of  God.  With 
the  religious  there  was  great  social  enjoyment.  Last  night,  wearied  out, 

having  lost  sleep  and  my  voice,  I  reached  home  safely.     C had  been 

very  careful  and  faithful.  After  my  Friday-evening  meeting  I  went  to  bed, 
and  oh,  what  sleep  !  I  did  not  wake  until  eight  o'clock  this  morning. 
Now  I  am  ready  for  another  start.  I  regret  that  we  can  not  get  to  Shrews- 
bury for  a  day  or  two,  but  such  a  visit,  under  the  circumstances,  seems  im- 
practicable. The  weather  is  cooler,  and  the  friends  are  beginning  to  re- 
turn to  the  city." 

To  Mrs.  Skidmore,  of  New  York  : 

"  Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  multiplied  unto  you.  Separation  and  dis- 
tance fail  to  affect  the  family  relationship.  In  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania, 
or  New  York,  on  earth  or  in  heaven,  we  are  brother  and  sister  still.  I  have 
had  a  glorious  summer  campaign.  Vineland  was,  as  you  know,  quite  in 
the  verge  of  heaven,  and  had  only  one  disadvantage — it  made  every  other 
service  seem  tame  by  comparison.  At  Ennall's  we  had  a  blessed  victory 
for  God.  At  Waters',  near  Baltimore,  the  battle  was  progressing  gloriously 
when  I  left  on  Tuesday.  Andrew  and  Mrs.  K ,  fully  girded,  were  win- 
ning trophies  for  Jesus.  I  heard  Andrew  preach  on  Monday  very  delight- 
fully from,  'And  Enoch  walked  with  God.'  " 


.    CHAPTER  XIX. 

SPRING   GARDEN   STREET   CHURCH. — THE   DEATH   OF   GEORGE 
COOKMAN  AND  OF  ALFRED   BRUNER   COOKMAN. 

THE  unremitting  pastor  had  hardly  rested  from  the  evangel- 
istic labors  of  the  summer,  when  one  of  the  heaviest  calamities 
of  his  life  fell  upon  him  in  the  sudden  death  of  his  brother 
George,  which  occurred  October  i,  1867.  From  the  time  of 
his  conversion  Mr.  George  Cookman  had  been  one  of  the  most 
active  Christian  men  in  Philadelphia.  Sympathizing  with  the 
catholic  spirit  which  prevailed  at  the  time  of  his  conversion,  he 
threw  himself  not  only  into  the  work  of  his  own  Church,  but 
also  into  the  general  religious  work  of  the  city.  His  talents 
and  piety  were  speedily  recognized ;  and  by  the  suffrages  of  all 
Christians  he  became  an  acknowledged  leader  among  the  young 
men  of  the  community.  He  was  elected  to  succeed  Mr.  George 
H.  Stuart  to  the  presidency  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  As- 
sociation, over  which  he  presided  with  eminent  success.  On 
the  occasion  of  his  inauguration  he  delivered  an  address  which 
showed  him  possessed  of  the  native  eloquence  of  the  family — 
an  eloquence  which  would  have  fitted  him  to  shine  in  any  pro- 
fession which  he  might  have  chosen  for  a  vocation.  The  ring- 
ing call  of  his  peroration  doubtless  still  lingers  in  the  memory 
of  many  who  were  present : 

"  Pulaski,  one  of  the  brave  Poles  who  espoused  the  American  cause,  and 
to  whom,  as  well  as  Kosciusko,  our  country  owes  almost  an  incalculable 
debt,  in  one  or  two  instances  turned  the  fortunes  of  war  against  our  enemies 
by  uttering  his  habitual  cry  of '  Forward,  brethren,  forward  !'  here  and  there 
and  every  where,  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  The  failing  strength  of  the 


MR.  GEORGE   COOKMAN'S   ACTIVITY.  329 

American  soldier  was  often  revived,  and  his  arm  nerved  with  new  vigor,  as 
he  heard  the  inspiring  voice  of  the  undaunted  general  above  the  din  of  bat- 
tle— '  Forward,  brethren,  forward  !' 

"  Young  men  of  this  association — young  men  of  Philadelphia — brothers 
beloved  in  the  Son  of  God,  to-night  I  re-echo  that  battle-cry,  and  shout,  For- 
ward, brethren,  forward  !  Forward,  because  God  hath  loved  us.  Forward, 
because  Christ  hath  died  for  us.  Forward,  because  the  world,  perishing,  ap- 
peals to  us.  Forward,  because  the  crown  of  life  awaits  us,  and  a  seat  at 
God's  right  hand,  where  our  pleasure  is  for  evermore. 

"  Fonvard,  brothers,  forward !" 

As  a  Methodist,  Mr.  George  Cookman  was  highly  esteemed. 
He  filled  important  trusts  successively  in  the  Green  Street, 
Union,  and  Arch  Street  Stations.  He  was  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  powerful  and  prosperous  Arch  Street  Church,  having 
been  the  first  superintendent  of  its  Sunday-school  when  origi- 
nally held  in  a  hall,  not  far  from  the  present  site  of  the  church. 
As  showing  his  capabilities  as  a  Christian  worker,  let  the  fol- 
lowing extract  speak : 

"  Connecting  himself  with  the  Church,  he  became  at  once  an  active  and 
faithful  young  Christian.  His  great  regret,  often  expressed,  was  that  he  had 
not  started  sooner,  and,  that  he  might  redeem  the  time,  he  gave  himself  to 
every  good  word  and  work. 

"  Literally  wedded  to  the  Arch  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  en- 
terprise, he  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school,  a  trustee,  a  steward,  a 
class-leader,  an  exhorter,  and  leader  of  Church  music.  Besides  this  he  was 
an  ex-president  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Philadelphia, 
a  manager  of  the  American  Sunday-school  Union,  a  manager  of  the  Phila- 
delphia Tract  Society,  treasurer  of  the  Pennsylvania  Sunday-school  Asso- 
ciation, and  in  all  these  departments  of  enterprise  evinced  the  greatest  in- 
terest and  activity."* 

The  root  from  which  all  this  official  responsibilty  and  honor 
grew  was  one  of  deep,  genuine,  personal  piety. 

Writing  to  his  mother  as  far  back  as  1863,  he  said : 

"  I  believe,  clear  mother,  that  I  am  growing  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge 
and  love  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  find  religion  to  be  all  that  I  expected 

*  Methodist  Home  Journal,  October,  1867. 


330  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

of  it,  and  infinitely  more.  Christ  grows  increasingly  precious  to  my  poor 
heart ;  I  find  Him  a  satisfying  portion,  and  realize  a  joy  and  comfort  which 
the  world  can  neither  give  nor  take  away — and  I  feel  to  exclaim,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  hymn  we  sometimes  sing, 

"  'Oh,  that  the  world  might  taste  and  see 

The  riches  of  His  grace ; 
The  arms  of  love  that  compass  me, 
Might  all  mankind  embrace !' " 

The  death  of  this  Christian  man,  though  sudden,  was  not 
without  premonitions.  His  health  had  been  precarious  for  some 
time,  but  immediate  danger  was  not  apprehended.  He  lived, 
however,  in  constant  preparation  for  death,  by  living  in  constant 
devotion  to  God  and  duty.  He  was  almost  literally  translated 
from  the  scenes  of  his  earthly  activity  and  joy. 

"  During  the  last  few  months  of  his  life  his  experience  has  been  deep- 
ening. He  stated  in  a  social  meeting  held  lately  that  he  had  more  fully 
consecrated  himself  to  God,  and  had  hud  a  new  and  charming  view  of  the 
cross. 

"  His  death  was  sudden.  This,  indeed,  seems  to  have  been  according  to 
his  own  desire ;  for,  in  conversation  with  a  Christian  friend  recently,  he'ex- 
pressed  a  preference  for  sudden  rather  than  a  lingering  death.  He  also  de- 
sired to  die  peacefully  in  his  bed,  and  that  his  wife  should  be  near  by  to  see 
him  breathe  his  last — all  which,  by  the  will  of  a  kind  Providence,  was  liter- 
ally fulfilled. 

"  About  an  hour  before  his  death  he  was  seated  at  the  melodcon  singing 
a  Sabbath-school  melody  found  in  Bradbury's  'Fresh  Laurels.'  He  entered 
with  his  whole  soul  into  the  spirit  of  the  piece,  and  greatly  admired  the  ex- 
quisite music  that  accompanied  the  words.  The  hymn  was  so  singularly 
and  touchingly  appropriate  to  the  scene  that  was  so  soon  to  follow  that  we 
give  it  entire : 

"'Oh,  I  see  the  shining  angels 

Gathering  round  my  dying  bed  ; 
With  their  harps  and  crowns  of  glory, 

Thus  a  faithful  mother  said  ; 
While  celestial  songs  were  ringing 

Through  the  heavenly  courts  above — 
Seraphs  came  from  glory,  bringing 
Blessed  words  of  peace  and  love. 


SUDDEN   AND   VICTORIOUS   DEATH.  331 

"'Chorus. — When  I  near  death's  stormy  billow, 

And  earth's  scenes  no  more  can  see ; 
When  I  press  my  dying  pillow, 
Will  the  angels  come  to  me  ? 
Will  they  come,  will  they  come, 
Will  the  angels  come  to  me  ? 
***** 

"  '  Oh,  how  sweet  to  feel  their  presence 

In  the  hushed  and  silent  room ; 
With  their  bright  and  shining  faces 

Gilding  all  the  dusted  gloom  ! 
When  from  loved  friends  I  have  parted, 

And  their  tears  are  flowing  free  ; 
When  from  Jordan's  banks  I've  started, 

Will  the  angels  come  for  me  ?' 

"  After  singing  these  beautiful  words  he  went  up  to  his  chamber  to  realize 
their  sentiments  in  a  dying  experience.  Like  Enoch,  'he  was  not,  for  God 
took  him.1  "* 

Many  were  the  private  and  public  tributes  to  the  worth  of 
one  so  singularly  pure  and  useful.  The  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  held  a  souvenir  meeting  in  Horticultural  Hall,  Oc- 
tober 1 3th,  at  which  addresses  were  delivered  by  Revs.  E.  R. 
Beadle,  D.D.,  and  T.  M.  Griffiths,  and  by  Messrs.  P.  B.  Simons, 
George  W.  Mears,  James  White,  George  H.  Stuart,  and  John 
B.  Gough.  The  "  Commercial  Exchange,"  of  Philadelphia,  of 
which  he  was  the  secretary,  called  a  special  meeting,  at  which 
appropriate  speeches  were  made  by  the  president,  Mr.  Howard 
Hinchman,  and  others,  and  suitable  resolutions  were  adopted, 
highly  commendatory  of  the  virtues  of  the  departed  merchant 
and  friend. 

Wide  and  deep  as  was  the  sorrow  felt  at  the  loss  of  a  layman 
uniting  so  many  qualities  of  the  Christian,  the  gentleman,  and 
the  business  man,  it  could  do  but  little  to  conduct  from  the 
heart  of  Alfred  the  ache  which  settled  upon  it.  Rarely  had  two 
brothers  been  so  joined  from  boyhood ;  and,  subsequent  to 

*  Methodist  Home  Journal \  1867. 


332  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

George's  conversion,  their  fellowship  had  been  of  the  most  in- 
timate and  intense  character.  There  was  the  most  perfect  nat- 
ural and  spiritual  kinship — they  thought,  felt,  and  acted  togeth- 
er ;  and  when  the  one  fell  it  was  like  tearing  from  the  survivor 
his  other  half,  the  complement  of  himself. 

His  own  letters  will  best  describe  his  feelings. 

To  the  Rev.  A.  Longacre,  then  pastor  of  Charles  Street 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Baltimore  : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  October  15, 1867. 

*  *  *  "  You  have  doubtless  heard  of  our  great  sorrow.  I  mourn  the  loss 
of  one  of  the  sweetest  and  best  of  brothers.  The  earthward  side  of  this  dis- 
pensation is  desolate  beyond  expression.  I  find  my  soul,  however,  singing, 

"  '  Jesus,  brother  of  my  soul, 
Let  me  to  Thy  bosom  fly.' 

"There  I  hide  with  my  crippled  wing,  and  realize  the  comfort  that  the 
Divinity  supplieth.  This  is  the  tenth  letter  I  have  written  this  morning. 
Wearied,  I  can  not  write  more.  Pray  for  me." 

To  Mrs.  Skidmore,  of  New  York : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  October  29,  1867. 

"Your  kind  letter  was  most  grateful  to  our  afflicted  hearts.  Christian 
sympathy,  always  beautiful  in  our  view,  never  seemed  so  charming  or  valu- 
able as  during  this  eventful  October — indeed,  I  never  understood  or  appre- 
ciated its  preciousness  before.  May  our  prayer-hearing  Lord  bless  abun- 
dantly and  eternally  every  dear  friend  whose  lips  have  breathed  or  whose 
actions  have  evinced  interest  and  love  in  this  time  of  our  family  bereave- 
ment. God  sparing  my  life,  I  propose  to  prize  more  than  ever  before  the 
privilege  of  addressing  gentle,  loving  words  to  those  who  are  staggering  un- 
der heavy  burdens  of  trial  and  sorrow.  I  need  not  say  to  you  that  I  have 
lost  a  precious  brother.  Very  nearly  of  the  same  age,  we  were  playmates 
in  childhood,  companions  in  youth,  confiding,  affectionate,  and  devoted 
brothers  through  life.  Made  instrumental  in  dear  George's  conversion 
about  nine  years  since,  that  fact  seemed  to  give  increased  strength  and  sa- 
credness  to  the  tic  that  united  us. 

"  During  my  present  pastorate,  I  have  not  only  had  his  frequent  co-oper- 
ation in  many  of  our  means  of  grace,  but  have  enjoyed  the  privilege  of 
spending  a  part  of  every  Monday  at  his  home.  After  dining  together,  we 
would  sit  for  an  hour,  living  over  the  past,  referring  to  present  interests  and 


THE  EARTHWARD  AND  HEAVENWARD  SIDE  OF  DEATH.      333 

experiences,  or  unfolding  our  plans  for  the  future.  Now  all  this  is  over  for 
this  world — not  forever  !  Blessed  be  God,  our  life  has  a.  future  as  well  as  a 
past.  We  knelt  at  the  same  mother's  knee — aye,  and  we  shall  kneel  with 
that  same  mother  and  our  glorified  father  in  the  presence  of  the  enthroned 
Jesus.  We  sported  in  our  boyhood  on  the  same  lawn — aye,  and  we  shall, 
in  our  immortal  youth,  roam  together  the 

" '  Blest  fields  on  the  banks  of  life's  river, 
And  sing  of  redemption  forever  and  ever.' 

Our  present  separation  is  only  a  parenthesis  in  our  fraternal  intercourse. 
In  a  little  while  it  shall  be  resumed,  with  no  prospect  or  possibility  of  inter- 
ruption. George  died  well !  Death  found  him  at  his  post,  faithfully  dis- 
charging his  duties.  He  worked  while  it  was  day,  and  did  his  work  with  his 
might.  During  the  last  few  months  of  his  life  he  was  greatly  interested  re- 
specting his  full  privilege  as  a  Christian.  Attending  the  International  Con- 
vention of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associations,  held  in  Montreal  last 
May  or  early  in  June,  he  seized  the  opportunity  to  make  a  fresh  and  an 
entire  consecration  of  himself  to  God,  and  was  blessed  (as  he  afterward 
testified)  with  a  new  view  of  the  cross.  After  this,  and  until  the  close  of  his 
career,  his  life  was  beautiful  and  fragrant  with  the  precious  plants  of  the 
Christian  graces. 

"  The  Wednesday  evening  before  he  died  he  stood  up  in  an  experience- 
meeting,  and  remarked  that  he  was  physically  feeble  and  could  not  say  much, 
but  his  experience  might  be  expressed  in  that  beautiful  stanza, 

" '  'Tis  Jesus,  the  First  and  the  Last, 

Whose  Spirit  shall  guide  me  straight  home  ; 
I'll  praise  Him  for  all  that  is  past, 
And  trust  Him  for  all  that's  to  come.' 

"  I  could  thus  fill  pages  with  blessed  reminiscences.  Death  has  an  earth- 
ward side.  I  never  understood  that  so  well  as  now.  Sometimes  during  the 
last  four  weeks,  when  I  have  entered  his  former  home  or  stood  by  his  newly 
made  grave,  and  thought  of  my  earthly  deprivation,  I  have  realized  a  sense 
of  desolation  that  has  quite  unmanned  me.  My  relief  and  consolation  is  in 
mounting  to  the  heavenward  side.  In  that  direction  the  brightness  and  the 
attraction  increase.  The  line,  '  Praise  Him  above,  ye  heavenly  host,'  never 
meant  so  much  or  seemed  so  sweet  as  now.  You  know  I  have  always  been 
your  attached  brother,  but  since  this  sudden  bereavement  I  feel  more  closely 
drawn  to  you  than  ever,  for  I  am  reminded  that  an  almost  identical  experi- 
ence in  the  loss  of  your  beloved  sister  prepares  you  to  understand  the 
greatest  trial  of  my  life.  We  sit  together  at  the  Master's  feet,  and  realize  a 


334  LIFE   OF  ALFRED  COOKMAN. 

new  sympathy  in  the  same  difficult  lesson  which  the  providence  of  God  has 
appointed  for  our  development  and  advantage.  But  perhaps  I  am  presum- 
ing upon  your  interest  in  our  family  sorrow.  If  so,  you  will  understand  and 
generously  excuse  me." 

To  the  Rev.  A.  Longacre,  of  Baltimore : 

"PHILADELPHIA,  November  1,1867. 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  kind  letter.  May  Heaven  abundantly  recompense 
you  for  all  your  affectionate  words.  I  know  the  deep  love  that  subsists 
among  the  members  of  your  father's  family,  and  in  this  matter  recognize  the 
resemblance  between  our  households  to  which  you  refer.  May  our  gracious 
Lord  keep  your  happy  circle  unbroken  for  many  years.  Knowing  your  fam- 
ily nearly  all  my  life,  and  intimately  associated  with  some  of  you  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  I  feel  a  more  than  ordinary  nearness  and  interest  and  love. 

"  How  gladly  I  would  respond  to  your  wishes,  and  spend  a  week  in  that 
part  of  the  vineyard  you  are  appointed  to  cultivate  !  Unfortunately,  how- 
ever, for  such  an  arrangement,  I  have  engaged  to  be  in  Poughkeepsie  on  the 
loth  of  November,  and  to  assist  in  dedicating  Brother  Thompson's  new 
church,  Germantown,  on  the  lyth.  Thus  my  Sabbaths  for  the  present 
month  are  all  filled  up.  I  rejoice  to  hear  of  your  continued  prosperity. 
May  God  send  you  a  steady  rain  until,  every  plant  refreshed,  your  interesting 
charge  shall  be  as  a  well-watered  garden  rich  with  the  beauty  and  fragrance 
of  heaven. 

"  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Palmer  conclude  to-day  their  labors  at  Central.  I  have  at- 
tended some  of  their  morning  services.  The  audiences  have  be"en  small — not 
nearly  so  large  as  at  their  afternoon  and  evening  meetings — but  the  influ- 
ences have  been  most  gracious.  On  Friday  last  God  vouchsafed  us  a  sea- 
son of  great  interest  and  power.  Your  beloved  sister  had  wonderful  access 
in  prayer — indeed,  it  was  the  testimony  of  her  friends  present  that  they  never 
heard  her  as  on  that  occasion." 

To  the  Rev.  A.  Longacre,  of  Baltimore  : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  November  15, 1867. 

"  Sincerely  disposed  to  heed  your  Macedonian  cry,  I  am  nevertheless  con- 
siderably embarrassed  respecting  a  decision.  On  the  first  Sabbath  of  this 
month  Dr.  Wentworth  preached  for  me  during  the  day.  Last  Sabbath  I 
was  in  Poughkeepsie.  Next  Sabbath  Dr.  Kynett,  or  one  of  the  bishops, 
will  take  my  Church  Extension  collection.  Three  Sabbath  mornings  out 
of  my  pulpit.  Then  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  December,  the  day  of  our  Com- 


WILLINGNESS   TO    HELP.  335 

munion,  Brother  G.  Hughes  expects  to  preach  and  take  the  Freedmen's  col- 
lection. I  do  not  see  how  I  can  very  consistently  absent  myself  before  the 
latter  part  of  December,  and  that  is  so  close  on  the  holiday  season  that  most 
probably  it  would  be  an  inopportune  time  for  the  object  that  you  contem- 
plate. These  are  just  my  circumstances,  and  I  state  them  the  more  frankly 
because  I  know  that,  as  a  pastor  yourself,  you  can  understand  and  appreciate 
them. 

"  We  had  a  most  delightful  visit  to  New  York  and  Poughkeepsie — saw 
many  cherished  friends — were  refreshed  at  the  Tuesday  meeting — praise  the 
Lord  !  Rev.  Newman  Hall  has  been  in  our  city,  interesting  and  impressing 
large  congregations.  If  he  visits  Baltimore,  you  will  do  well  to  secure  him 
for  one  of  your  services.  Last  night  we  had  the  anniversary  of  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association — a  magnificent  audience  and  a  splendid  time. 
Dr.  Hall,  of  New  York,  recently  of  Dublin,  made  the  speech  of  the  evening. 
Revs.  E.  Clark,  of  New  Haven,  and  Phillips  Brooks  were  the  other  speakers. 
The  occasion  was  a  grand  success. 

"  Mrs.  Simpson,  I  understand,  is  on  her  way  home  with  Charles.  The 
Western  tour  has  been  of  little  service,  and  the  dear  fellow,  as  we  judge,  re- 
turns to  die.  I  refer  to  these  items  because  I  know  they  will  interest  you. 
My  soul,  this  morning,  is  sweetly  resting  in  Jesus.  Oh,  is  it  possible  that  I, 
so  insignificant  and  unworthy,  should  be  lifted  above  angels  and  archangels, 
and  be  indulged  with  a  resting-place  in  the  bosom  of  Infinite  Love !  I  can 
only  wonder  and  adore.  God  bless  you,  my  precious  brother.  How  I  could 
enjoy  a  few  days  with  you  at  Charles  Street !  Perhaps  our  kind  Heavenly 
Father,  the  God  of  providence  and  grace,  may  open  the  way,  and  situate  us 
side  by  side  on  the  battle-field." 

To  the  Rev.  A.  Longacre,  of  Baltimore  : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  November  19, 1867. 

"  I  hasten  to  reply  to  your  urgent  request.  Next  week  will  bring  our  annual 
Thanksgiving.  The  preparation  of  an  appropriate  discourse  will  take  some 
of  the  preceding  days,  so  that  absence  from  home  will  be  impracticable.  Re- 
specting the  first  week  in  December,  I  can  not  write  very  certainly,  for  we 
are  holding  ourselves  in  readiness  for  extra  services  at  any  moment.  Most 
of  the  charges  around  are  engaged  in  protracted  meetings,  some  with  a  good 
measure  of  success.  At  Central  the  good  seed  sown  is  producing  fruit. 
Oh,  how  gladly  would  I  gratify  you  in  the  wish  you  express  !  I  understand 
and  appreciate  your  importunity,  and  only  regret  that  my  circumstances 
should  make  it  necessary.  God  bless  you,  my  darling  brother.  You  do  not 
know  how  dear  you  are  to  my  heart  If  my  meeting  does  not  begin,  and  I 


336  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

can  advantageously  serve  you  for  two  or  three  evenings  week  after  next,  I 
will  cheerfully  make  the  effort  to  be  with  you." 

"PHILADELPHIA,  November  29,  1867. 

"DEAR  BROTHER  ANDREW, — This  has  been  a  most  trying  week.  The 
preparation  of  a  Thanksgiving  sermon  and  a  speech  besides  was  enough  to 
fill  up  my  mind.  In  addition  to  this  we  have  had  our  home  overflowing 
with  company,  and  an  importunate  committee  from  Brooklyn,  begging  me 
to  accept  the  pastorate  of  the  new  St.  John's  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
A  mind  full  of  suspense  and  hands  full  of  pressing  work.  This  is  my  apol- 
ogy for  not  replying  more  promptly  to  your  letter.  On  Monday  we  have  a 
meeting  of  our  Camp-meeting  Committee  in  this  city.  I  think  I  can  not 
come  to  Baltimore  next  week.  If  I  see  my  way  clear  for  the  week  after,  I 
will  let  you  know.  Oh,  what  would  I  not  give  for  a  face-to-face  t$te-&-ttte 
with  you  to-day !  I  want  so  much  your  good  judgment  to  help  me  decide 
some  questions  connected  with  my  next  year's  pastoral  destination." 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  December  4, 1867. 

"  DEAR  ANDREW, — Every  morning  of  this  week  so  far  I  have  resigned 
myself  to  the  tender  mercies  of  Dr.  Kingsbury,  the  dentist ;  nevertheless,  I 
have  commenced  an  extra  meeting,  and  am  engaged  every  night  in  leading 
or  striving  to  lead  the  flock  nearer  the  fountain  of  spiritual  power  and  bless- 
ing. How  I  will  be  situated  next  week  I  can  not  definitely  say ;  but  if  any 
religious  interest  develops  here,  I  can  not,  of  course,  leave  the  home  work. 
The  Brooklyn  transfer  can  not  disturb  you  as  it  has  perplexed  and  annoyed 
me.  I  thought  I  was  anchored  in  my  mother  Conference — had  no  wish  or 
idea  of  leaving — doors  were  opening — my  humble  services  were  in  some  de- 
mand, when,  lo  !  the  new  St.  John's  Church,  through  their  committee,  makes 
a  most  unanimous  and  earnest  request  for  my  transfer  and  appointment.  I 
have  virtually  declined — said  every  thing  in  opposition,  every  thing  but  an 
emphatic  'No.'  This  I  have  hesitated  to  express,  lest  I  might  be  taking  my 
lot  too  much  in  my  own  hands.  Bishop  Janes  holds  the  whole  matter  under 
advisement.  Be  very  sure  I  do  not  want  to  leave  Philadelphia.  The  Camp- 
meeting  Committee  turn  toward  Lancaster  County  as  perhaps  the  most  cen- 
tral and  desirable  location  for  next  year's  meeting." 

If  any  one  is  tempted  to  regard  the  life  of  the  popular  city 
pastor  as  one  of  delicious  ease,  free  from  care  and  perplexity, 
running  like  a  summer  stream  through  a  grassy  meadow,  let  him 
ponder  the  above  letters,  and  this  of  the  same  season. 


A  CITY  PASTOR'S  CARES.  337 

To  his  sister,  Miss  Mary  Cookman  : 

"  I  fully  intended  writing  last  week,  but  my  duties  multiplied  and  became  so 
urgent  that  it  was  simply  impossible.  Really  I  have  a  great  deal  to  do  ;  ev- 
ery day  brings  me  letters  asking  for  different  kinds  of  service,  and  these  have 
to  be  answered.  Sermons  must  be  prepared,  various  meetings  attended,  and 
the  interests  of  a  large  family  supervised,  besides  a  great  deal  of  outside  and 
irregular  work.  All  this  burdens  my  brain,  and  sometimes  terribly  troubles 
my  soul.  I  do  not  know  what  I  should  do  if  I  could  not  cast  my  burden  on 
the  Lord,  and  plead  His  own  precious  promise, '  Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway.' 

"  But  I  did  not  mean  this  personal  experience  when  I  commenced  my  let- 
ter. I  thank  you  for  your  sisterly  epistle.  All  your  sentiments  of  true,  warm 
love  are  fully  reciprocated.  I  deeply  appreciate  and  sincerely  praise  God 
for  your  undisguised  confidence  and  tender  affection.  Blessed  with  many 
true,  kind  friends,  I  always  feel  that  there  are  a  few  hearts  on  which  I  may 
lean  with  the  most  implicit  trust,  and  yours  is  one  of  that  small  number. 
May  our  faithful  and  loving  Heavenly  Father  continue  to  bless  you  with 
every  needful  temporal  and  spiritual  blessing  in  Christ  Jesus. 

"  It  was  encouraging  to  hear  that  my  humble  efforts  in  Poughkeepsie 
were  appreciated  by  the  people.  Certainly  we  enjoyed  beyond  expression 
the  two  days  we  were  permitted  to  spend  in  John's  parish.  Aside  from 
every  thing  else,  the  society  of  our  beloved  mother  furnished  a  feast  for  our 
affectional  nature.  It  is  enough  to  sit  in  her  presence  and  live  over  the 
eventful  years  that  have  irrevocably  passed.  The  privilege  always  makes 
me  feel  the  deprivation  we  suffer  in  our  present  separation.  Never  mind. 
In  a  little  while  we  will  sit  down  together  in  the  heavenly  home,  and  enjoy 
each  other  with  no  prospect  or  fear  that  our  happy  intercourse  shall  ever 
again  be  interrupted.  Heaven  is  coming  nearer,  and  growing  more  attractive. 

"  Last  week,  with  Saide  and  Annie,  I  visited  dear  George's  grave.  It  is  a 
hallowed  spot — one  of  the  most  sacred  to  me  in  all  the  world.  Oh,  with 
what  thoughts  and  feelings  did  I  linger  near  the  lifeless  remains  of  that 
sweetest  of  brothers  !  My  sense  of  loss  for  a  moment  came  upon  me  over- 
whelmingly, for  there  was  no  one  of  my  own  sex  that  loved  me  so  tenderly 
as  that  dear  man.  We  lived  in  one  another's  smile,  and  those  smiles  inter- 
mingling, threw  blessed  sunshine  on  life's  pathway.  His  spirit  seems  almost 
constantly  with  me,  but  at  his  grave  I  felt  that  both  body  and  spirit  were 
near,  and  I  almost  communed  as  in  the  former  time.  Laurel  Hill !  blessed 
hill  !  My  Pisgah  now  from  whence  I  look  over  to  the  graveless  land." 

Laurel  Hill  was  within  the  next  few  months  to  become  even 
more  sacred  and  precious,  by  reason  of  others  who  should  be 

P 


33§  LIFE   OF   ALFRED    COOKMAN. 

gathered  to  its  silent  bosom.  In  the  spring  following  he  was 
called  as  the  pastor  of  Bishop  Simpson's  family  to  stand  by  the 
dying  bed  of  their  son,  Mr.  Charles  Simpson,  and  to  administer 
to  him  and  to  them  the  consolations  which  now  more  than  ever 
experience  had  taught  him  to  understand.  He  had  seen  its 
embrace  receive  his  ministerial  friends  Munroe,  Heston,  and 
Brainard,  his  young  friend  Simpson,  his  child  Rebecca,  his  broth- 
er George ;  but  the  grave  was  yet  unsatisfied,  and  the  demand 
soon  came  for  one  even  nearer  and  dearer  than  all  the  rest. 
His  eldest  son,  Bruner,  who  had  so  long  struggled  with  disease, 
and  who  at  times  had  given  signs  of  improvement  with  the  hope 
of  ultimate  recovery,  at  last  succumbed  to  the  destroyer.  The 
brave  boy  died  March  2d,  1868.  Thus  the  shadows  thickened 
around  the  devout  pastor  and  his  family.  Yet  in  the  deepest 
darkness  he  retained  his  cheerfulness ;  under  all  the  suffering 
his  spirit — as  grapes  when  pressed  give  forth  the  invigorating 
juice — seemed  to  grow  in  saintliness  both  as  to  intrinsic  depth 
and  visible  influence. 

"  The  darts  of  anguish  fix  not 
Where  the  seat  of  suffering  is  thoroughly  fortified 
By  acquiescence  in  the  will  supreme." 

The  following  "BIOGRAPHY  OF  A  GOOD  BOY"  was  written  by 
Mr.  Cookman,  and  afterward  published  by  request  in  the  Meth- 
odist Home  Journal,  and  is  so  creditable  alike  to  father  and  son, 
and  so  well  adapted  to  benefit  the  youthful  readers  of  this  vol- 
ume, that  I  insert  it  almost  entire : 

"BIOGRAPHY  OF  A  GOOD  BOY. 

"  Our  precious  son,  Alfred  Bruner  Cookman,  brought  to  our  home  great 
joy,  and  for  nearly  sixteen  years  was  a  constant  satisfaction  and  comfort. 
If  there  is  such  a  thing  as  natural  goodness,  he  seemed  to  be  its  fortunate 
possessor.  His  instincts  were  all  in  the  direction  of  virtue  and  propriety. 
Strictly  conscientious,  we  never  heard  of  his  uttering  either  a  profane  or  an 
obscene  word.  No  one  ever  suspected  him  of  any  thing  like  falsehood. 
As  our  memory  serves  us  now,  we  can  not  recall  a  single  act  of  disobedience 


ALFRED    BRUNER   COOKMAN.  339 

to  his  parents.  Jn  the  family  circle  he  stood  as  a  faithful  little  monitor,  con- 
stantly careful  respecting  the  morals,  habits,  manners,  and  appearance  of 
his  brothers  and  sisters.  Naturally  dignified  and  thoughtful,  he  impressed 
all  by  his  quiet  movements,  his  perfect  politeness,  and  his  singular  sense  of 
propriety. 

"  With  these  superior  qualities  of  character  he  associated  fine  intellectual 
characteristics.  His  feeble  health,  extending  through  a  number  of  years, 
had  hindered  somewhat  his  literary  culture,  nevertheless  few  boys  of  his  age 
had  read  so  much.  He  was  a  voracious  reader.  Sometimes  we  would 
chide  him  for  his  application  to  his  book,  and  had  literally  to  drive  him  into 
other  exercises. 

"  In  the  use  of  his  pencil  he  evinced  great  taste  and  skill.  An  amateur 
artist  of  Philadelphia,  after  looking  at  some  of  his  productions,  congratulated 
us  on  his  superior  talent,  suggesting  that  it  furnished  promise  of  future  fame. 

"  In  his  recitations  on  the  occasions  of  anniversaries  and  public-meetings 
(exercises  that  he  always  enjoyed),  he  was  graceful,  impressive,  and  popular. 
It  is  a  significant  fact  in  this  connection  that  his  last,  and  one  of  his  happi- 
est declamations,  was  '  The  Burial  of  Sir  John  Moore.' 

"  His  thoughtfulness  revealed  itself  in  his  attention  to  and  remembrance 
of  sermons,  the  numerous  questions  he  would  ask  on  scriptural,  theological, 
and  general  subjects,  and  his  interest  on  the  vital  question  of  his  personal 
salvation. 

"  Five  years  since,  when  we  expected  him  to  die,  he  professed  to  expe- 
rience on  his  bed  of  sickness  the  forgiveness  of  his  sins.  When  he  partially 
recovered,  one  of  his  first  wishes  expressed  was  to  unite  himself  with  the 
Church.  Accordingly,  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  1863,  when  he  was  ten  years 
of  age,  his  dear  mother  led  him  to  the  altar,  while  his  father  had  the  exceed- 
ing joy  of  welcoming  him  as  a  probationer  in  the  Central  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  in  the  city  of  New  York. 

"  His  Christian  life  was  marked  by  consistency  of  conduct  and  strict  at- 
tention to  religious  duty.  His  prayers  were  never  forgotten.  His  Bible 
was  read  every  day.  His  class-meeting  was  regularly  attended.  Fond  of 
his  Sabbath-school  he  was  always  in  his  place,  and  for  his  teacher  and  class- 
mates cherished  a  special  love.  Those  classmates  had  the  melancholy  priv- 
ilege of  bearing  his  precious  body  carefully  and  lovingly  to  its  last  resting- 
place. 

"  Since  our  dear  boy's  death  we  have  found  his  diary,  kept  when  he  was 
but  twelve  years  of  age.  A  few  extracts  will  throw  some  light  pn,  his  char- 
acter and  life. 

"January  8,  1865,  he  writes:  'To-day  I  have  experienced  religion.     In 


340  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

the  afternoon  I  went  up  to  the  altar,  but  did  not  find  Christ.  In  the  even- 
ing I  found  him.  Glory  to  God.'  This  was  rather  a  restoration  of  the  joys 
of  God's  salvation. 

"February  2  :  'To-day  we  had  a  surprise  party  at  Mrs.  T.'s.'  Then  he 
records  what  he  and  his  little  brothers  and  companions  gave  this  humble 
and  afflicted  widow,  and  concludes  the  account  thus :  '  Then  we  sung  hymns, 
spoke  pieces,  Mrs.  A prayed,  and  we  went  home.' 

"  About  the  same  date  he  writes  :  '  Glory  to  God,  the  slaves  are  free.' 

"  April  3,  he  says :  '  This  afternoon  we  heard  that  Richmond  and  Peters- 
burg arc  taken  by  Grant  and  Sheridan;  I  had  the  house  illuminated  for 
the  victory.  Praise  God  for  victory.' 

"  April  15,  he  writes :  '  This  morning  we  had  awful  news ;  President  Lin- 
coln is  dead.'  He  then  records  all  the  particulars  of  the  assassination,  and 
appends  the  sentiment, '  Thy  will  be  done.' 

"  About  the  same  time  he  records  :  '  My  sister  Beckie  died  April  10,  1865. 
We  miss  her.  Pa  and  ma  say  she  looked  more  beautiful  in  death  than  in 
life.  She  is  an  angel  in  heaven  to-day.  Sweet  be  her  sleep.' 

"  Observe,  these  are  extracts  from  the  journal  of  our  Christian  boy  when 
he  was  but  twelve  years  of  age,  and  living  in  New  York  City. 

"  During  our  pleasant  pastorate  at  Spring  Garden  Street,  Philadelphia, 
his  health  seemed  better.  He  was  able  to  go  to  school,  and,  as  his  teachers 
testify,  was  obedient,  studious,  and  ambitious  to  excel.  In  his  boyish  sports 
he  was  hearty  and  very  happy.  Though  some  of  his  companions  had  more 
of  physical  strength,  yet  none  of  them  seemed  to  enter  more  deeply  into  the 
spirit  of  the  enjoyment  than  he  did.  His  associates  all  said  of.  him,  Alfred 
.Eruncr  Cookman  is  a  good  boy — good  at  school,  good  on  the  street,  good  at 
play,  good  in  his  words,  good  in  his  temper,  good  in  his  actions — and  so  he 

was. 

"  '  None  knew  him  but  to  love  him, 

None  named  him  but  to  praise.' 

"  Soon  after  he  came  to  Philadelphia,  three  years  since,  he  helped  to  es- 
tablish a  boy's  Sabbath-evening  prayer-meeting.  At  this  service  quite  a 
number  of  his  young  friends  professed  to  experience  the  pardon  of  sin — 
among  the  rest  the  son  of  our  beloved  Bishop  Simpson.  Thus  his  life 
flowed  along  beautifully  and  lovingly  and  usefully,  until  the  latter  part  of 
January  last,  when  a  deep  cold  fell  upon  his  heart  (his  feeble  organ),  devel- 
oping in  the  form  of  pericarditis.  His  illness  was  attended  with  great  pain, 
obstinate  feve/,  and  frequent  oppression,  that  soon  robbed  him  of  strength 
and  flesh.  Sitting  in  an  upright  position,  sometimes  for  days  and  nights 
together,  with  his  feet  fearfully  swollen,  he  nevertheless  possessed  his  soul 


BRUNER'S  HAPPY  DEATH.          341 

in  beautiful  patience.  No  one  heard  from  him  one  word  of  murmuring  or 
repining.  Every  day  his  Bible  was  carefully  read,  while  in  his  devotions  he 
would  insist  on  kneeling  down,  despite  all  his  disability,  and  would  spend 
long  seasons  in  communion  with  God. 

"  To  his  father  he  gave  the  assurance  that  his  trust  was  in  Christ,  and 
Jesus  was  precious.  When  asked  if  all  was  well  in  an  eternal  point  of  view, 
he  answered,  '  Yes,  sir.' 

"  The  last  day  of  his  life,  March  2,  reason  was  trembling  on  her  throne. 
He  seemed  oblivious  to  the  presence  of  relatives  and  friends,  and  was,  to 
all  human  appearance,  the  subject  of  intense  suffering.  This  of  course  ter- 
ribly taxed  the  sensibilities  of  his  sympathizing  parents  and  kindred.  Con- 
cerned that  he  should  have  relief,  the  family  were  called  to  prayer.  They 
knelt  around  Bruner's  dying  bed.  They  asked  God,  if  in  accordance  with 
His  will,  to  save  the  dear  boy  from  his  apparent  suffering,  and  to  give  him 
a  moment  of  consciousness  before  his  death,  that  he  might  indulge  us  with 
a  look  of  recognition  that  would  be  a  last  precious  legacy.  God  mercifully 
heard  and  answered  our  prayer.  Very  soon  the  dear  suffering  boy  sank  into 
a  quiet  slumber  that  continued  until  near  midnight. 

"  About  ten  minutes  to  twelve,  with  respiration  interrupted,  he  suddenly 
opened  his  large  blue  eyes,  never  brighter  or  more  beautiful,  and  looked 
around  lovingly  on  his  parents  and  friends.  At  that  moment  a  ray  from  the 
more  excellent  glory  darted  upon  and  quite  illumined  his  face  and  form. 
This  halo  was  perceived  and  enjoyed  by  every  one  in  the  room.  His  great- 
ly afflicted  mother,  with  his  hand  clasped  in  hers,  said, '  I  give  you  to  Jesus, 
Brunie,  I  couldn't  give  you  to  any  other ;  oh,  say,  don't  you  know  me,  my 
angel  boy  ?  don't  you  know  your  precious  mamma  ?'  He  gave  her  a  sweet 
smile  of  recognition— the  legacy  desired,  the  prayer  answered— then  closed 
his  eyes  in  death,  and  his  beautiful  spirit  was  with  the  angels. 

"  Our  glorified  boy  !  We  praise  God  for  the  temporary  loan.  It  made 
earth  more  beautiful,  it  makes  heaven  more  attractive." 

It  is  not  often  that  extempore  prayer  is  offered  at  the  grave  in 
these  days;  it  is  even  more  seldom  that  a  father  is  known  to  offer 
audible  prayer  at  the  grave  of  a  son.  Some  time  after  the  fu- 
neral the  body  of  Bruner  was  privately  interred  in  the  presence 
of  the  immediate  family,  on  which  occasion  Mr.Cookman  prayed 
with  great  unction,  tenderness,  and  faith.  An  aged  gentleman, 
of  the  Society  of  Friends,  who  was  in  the  cemetery  at  the  time, 
*  Mr.  John  Jay  Smith,  of  Philadelphia. 


I 


342  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

attracted  by  the  funeral,  stood  at  a  respectful  distance  from  the 
scene  ;  and  as  he  listened  in  silent,  subdued  wonder  at  Mr. 
Cookman's  prayer,  he  said  substantially  to  himself,  "  If  the 
grace  of  God  can  give  such  power  to  a  bereaved  father,  then  I 
need  it."  He  afterward  sought  for  this  power,  and  found  it. 
At  the  time,  he  and  Mr.  Cookman  were  utter  strangers  to  each 
other,  but  subsequently  they  became  intimately  acquainted,  and 
Mr.  Cookman  had  the  happiness  of  greeting  him  as  a  brother 
in  Christ.  Subsequently  Mr.  Cookman  wrote  him  : 

*  *  *  "  I  am  so  deeply  thankful  and  sincerely  joyful  whenever  I  think 
of  you — brought  in  in  advanced  life,  when  the  chances  all  seemed  to  be 
against  such  a  result.  And  then  that  I  should  have  had  any  share  (as  a 
humble  and  unworthy  instrument)  in  this  blessed  consummation  !  My  soul 
sinks  down  in  adoring  love.  You  will  realize  great  rest  in  committing  the 
keeping  of  your  soul  and  little  all  into  the  hands  of  your  Almighty  Saviour. 
Feel  that  He  is  carefully  preserving  what  you  have  given  into  His  hands, 
and  that  until  you  deliberately  or  willfully  withdraw  your  offering  and  your 
trust  He  will  keep,  leaving  you  only  to  love  and  to  enjoy — ."  *  *  * 

Another  letter  to  the  same  is  appropriate  here. 
To  Mr.  John  J.  Smith,  of  Philadelphia  : 

"  WILMINGTON,  December  24, 1870. 

"  I  desire  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  most  welcome  letter,  and  at 
the  same  time  wish  you  a  very  happy  Christmas.  Will  it  not  be  the  best 
Christmas  of  your  protracted  life  ?  The  best,  because  of  the  sweet  con- 
sciousness that  your  divine  Friend  is  now  affectionately  remembered.  HE 
GIVES  YOU  HIMSELF  for  your  Christmas  present,  and  you  in  return  give 
Him  yourself.  Thus  there  is  a  beautiful,  blessed  exchange  of  gifts;  only 
we  are  infinitely  the  gainers  by  this  merciful  arrangement 

"  I  am  glad  to  know  that  your  heart  overflows  with  thankfulness  and  love 
to  that  dear  Saviour  who,  at  the  eleventh  hour,  has  made  you  a  miracle  of 
His  wondrous  grace.  Praise  Him  continually,  trust  Him  implicitly,  love 
Him  with  a  childlike  love,  and  in  a  little  while  you  shall  bow  in  His  glorified 
presence,  and  offer  Him  not  gold,  frankincense,  and  myrrh,  but  the  more 
acceptable  tribute  of  a  grateful  and  devoted  heart.  Eighteen  hundred  and 
seventy  closes  well  for  you  ;  the  last  pages  record  that  J.  Jay  Smith  is  a  little 
child  sitting  at  the  Saviour's  feet.  I  trust  I  belong  to  the  same  blessed 


SMITH. — HESTON. — BRAINARD.  343 

class.  We  are  brother  scholars  in  the  school  of  Jesus,  and  I  indulge  the 
hope  that  our  friendship,  overleaping  the  River  of  Death,  shall  continue  and 
increase  as  long  as  eternal  ages  roll. 

"  The  evening  we  spent  at  your  beautiful  home  was  one  of  the  happiest 
of  my  life.  It  will  long  be  a  very  feast  of  memory. 

"  And  now  I  must  close  my  note.  Give  our  tenderest  love  to  your  dear 

wife  and  daughter,  and  son  L ,  whose  acquaintance  I  was  glad  to  form. 

Is  there  not  a  most  cheering  prospect  that  you  will  be  a  united  family  in 
Christ  in  this  world,  and  afterward  an  undivided  household  in  heaven.  God 
bless  you  all." 

Reference  has  already  been  made  to  the  deaths  of  the  Rev. 
Newton  Heston  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Brainard.  Mr.  Heston,  pas- 
tor of  the  State  Street  Congregational  Church  in  Brooklyn,  was 
originally  a  Methodist  preacher  in  the  Philadelphia  Conference, 
and  a  close  friend  of  Mr.  Cookman's.  When  he  withdrew  from 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Mr.  Cookman  did  not  with- 
draw his  love  from  him,  but  continued  to  esteem  him  as  a 
brother ;  and  when  Mr.  Heston  fell  suddenly  in  his  work,  he  very 
sincerely  mourned  his  loss.  He  preached  a  memorial  sermon 
in  the  Spring  Garden  Street  Church.  This  sermon  was  after- 
ward published  by  request  of  the  trustees  of  State  Street  Church, 
and  remains  a  generous  tribute  of  his  brotherly  affection. 

Dr.  Brainard  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  active  and 
useful  pastors  in  the  Presbyterian  pulpit  of  Philadelphia.  Kin- 
dred sympathies  and  labors  brought  him  and  Mr.  Cookman 
into  frequent  and  genial  intercourse.  In  a  private  letter  to  the 
editor  of  The  Evangelist,  New  York,  Mr.  Cookman  referred  to 
Dr.  Brainard  in  terms  which  the  editor  was  pleased  afterward 
to  apply  as  equally  applicable  to  Mr.  Cookman  himself: 

"  Associated  with  him  at  anniversaries,  union  meetings,  social  gatherings, 
and  under  various  circumstances,  I  came  to  estimate  him  as  a  prince  among 
men.  His  disciplined  and  cultivated  mind,  ready  and  elegant  utterances, 
natural  and  beautiful  manners,  unselfish  and  catholic  spirit,  self-denying  and 
multiplied  labors,  and  useful  Christian  life,  made  him  a  power  and  a  bless- 
ing wherever  known — and  now,  as  we  think  of  him,  furnish  a  very  feast  of 
remembrance.  I  thank  God  that  I  ever  knew  Dr.  Brainard. 


344  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"Dr.  Arnot,  :n  his  life  of  James  Hamilton,  says:  'All  is  not  lost  to  the 
world  when  a  good  man  dies ;  his  character  remains  behind  to  enrich  the 
community,  as  certainly  as  the  rich  man's  wealth  remains  behind  to  enrich 
the  estate  of  his  heirs.'  Dr.  Brainard's  character  lives — lives  in  the  charac- 
ters of  others  that  it  is  strengthening  and  building  up.  I  cheerfully  ac- 
knowledge my  indebtedness  to  Dr.  Brainard  for  the  inspiration  of  his  pure 
example,  the  glow  of  his  living  piety,  and  the  cheer  of  his  noble,  generous, 
loving  soul.  I  am  a  better  man  because  he  lived.  Dr.  Brainard  made  earth 
more  beautiful,  and  makes  heaven  more  attractive." 

In  the  autumn  of  1868  Mr.  Cookman  was  called  upon  to 
follow  to  the  grave  the  remains  of  another  cherished  minister, 
the  Rev.  Thomas  H.  Stockton,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the  Church  of 
the  New  Testament,  Philadelphia,  a  man  whose  reputation  for 
piety,  eloquence,  learning,  and  patriotism  was  as  broad  as  the 
continent.  Dr.  Stockton  and  his  father  had  been  pulpit  rivals 
in  their  youth,  while  Alfred  was  a  child ;  afterward  the  devout 
and  seraphic  Stockton  and  the  son  were  brought  into  the  clos- 
est fellowship,  and  sustained  to  each  other  a  relationship  as 
familiar  and  tender  as  that  of  father  and  son.  Mr.  Cookman 
was  accustomed  through  the  last  years  of  the  Doctor's  feeble 
health  to  visit  him  frequently,  and  to  sit  at  his  feet  with  the  ut- 
most teachableness,  and  listen  to  conversations  which,  for  far- 
reaching  wisdom  and  spiritual  insight,  have  not  been  excelled 
by  the  words  of  any  divine  of  our  times.  The  Rev.  Alexander 
Clark,  editor  of  the  Methodist  Recorder,  who  rode  with  him  at 
Dr.  Stockton's  funeral,  writes, "  I  shall  never  forget  his  tender, 
brotherly  words  in  the  carriage  as  we  rode  together  in  the  fu- 
neral procession.  *  *  *  How  those  two  consecrated  souls  loved 
each  other !  Now  they  share  the  great  glory  together !" 


CHAPTER  XX. 

GRACE  CHURCH,  WILMINGTON,  DELAWARE. — THE  NATIONAL  AND 
OTHER   CAMP-MEETINGS. — MISSIONARY   JUBILEE. 

WITH  the  spring  of  1868  the  pastorate  of  Spring  Garden 
charge  closed — three  years  of  arduous  labor  and  much  suffer- 
ing, but  of  as  decided  success  and  joy  as  any  ministerial  term 
Mr.  Cookman  had  yet  spent.  Long  before  the  session  of  Con- 
ference the  question  of  his  next  appointment  was  agitated. 
Committees  from  various  churches,  within  and  without  his  own 
Conference,  waited  on  him  with  urgent  demands  for  his  services 
— among  them  one  from  the  new  St.  John's  Church,  Brooklyn, 
New  York.  As  we  have  seen  from  his  correspondence,  he  did 
not  wish  to  leave  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  but  desired  to 
regard  it  as  home.  He  was,  however,  induced  to  consent  to 
go  to  Brooklyn  if  the  bishops  thought  it  advisable ;  and  for 
some  time  his  transfer  to  the  St.  John's  charge  was  regarded 
as  a  settled  arrangement 

Meanwhile  another  claim  sprang  up  in  a  call  from  the  new 
Grace  Church,  Wilmington,  Delaware.  Both  churches  were  as 
substantial,  capacious,  and  beautiful  as  any  yet  erected  by  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church ;  the  claims  seemed  equally  bal- 
anced, and  both  invitations  were  to  him  certainly  highly  com- 
plimentary. The  opinions  of  the  bishops  decided  for  Grace 
Church.  As  this  Church  was  in  his  own  Conference,  no  trans- 
fer was  necessary,  and  hence  the  appointment  was  the  more 
easily  effected.  Many  of  Mr.  Cookman's  friends  in  New  York 
and  Brooklyn  were  sorely  disappointed  in  the  result,  and  no 
one  felt  more  sincerely  grieved  than  himself  that  what  ap- 
peared to  be  the  wisest  judgment  was  against  the  removal  to 

P  2 


346  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Brooklyn.     While  the  matter  was  pending  he  would  often  ex- 
claim, "  Oh,  for  a  voice  from  heaven  !" 

Again  was  his  lot  cast  with  a  people  who  had  shown  great 
zeal  for  the  cause  of  God  in  the  erection  of  a  superb  and  com- 
modious structure  for  divine  worship  at  a  cost  of  $200,000.  It 
is  doubtful  if  a  more  beautiful  pile  can  be  found,  or  one  more 
admirably  adapted  in  all  its  appointments  for  the  services  of 
religion.  The  exterior  of  the  building,  the  tout  ensemble,  is  very 
imposing,  while  the  interior  arrangements  are  both  tasteful 
and  convenient,  with  every  possible  facility  for  public  worship, 
for  Sunday-school  work,  and  the  equally  important  social  meet- 
ings. Grace  Church  is  really  the  ornament  of  Wilmington  City. 
In  building  such  a  house  a  heavy  debt  was  incurred,  and  there 
consequently  devolved  upon  the  newly  appointed  pastor  a  cor- 
responding care ;  but  as  was  his  custom,  he  went  cheerfully  to 
work,  seeking  to  affect  the  financial  condition  of  the  charge 
through  its  spiritual  life.  Wilmington,  with  a  population  of 
thirty  thousand,  and  a  Methodist  population  of  twenty-four 
hundred,  offered  a  delightful  field  for  the  preaching  and  social 
talents  of  the  new  pastor.  His  ministry  began  immediately  to 
impress  the  community,  and  very  soon  a  large  congregation 
filled  the  Church.  Persons  of  all  classes  and  professions,  of 
every  religious  denomination,  became  either  regular  or  occa- 
sional attendants  upon  the  preaching  and  the  social  services. 
The  Sunday-school,  with  its  large  rooms  and  efficient  control, 
grew  to  great  proportions,  and  in  all  the  elements  of  strength 
and  self-propagating  power.  It  soon  projected  a  mission-school, 
known  as  the  Epworth  Chapel. 

The  customary  meeting  for  the  promotion  of"holiness  was  es- 
tablished. Such  a  meeting  was  now  with  him  a  necessity,  not 
only  of  his  ministry,  but  of  his  personal  religious  life.  He  must 
gather  some  of  his  flock  and  of  the  Christian  community,  how- 
ever few,  into  the  closest  fellowship,  for  the  distinct  purpose  of 
conference  and  prayer  upon  the  great  object  which  he  believed 


GRACE    M.  E.  CHURCH,  WILMINGTON.  347 

to  lie  at  the  very  foundation  of  individual  and  Church  growth. 
When  a  little  dissent  from  his  opinions  and  plans  was  express- 
ed— though  feeling  sometimes  that  he  was  misunderstood — he 
would  simply  reply  to  the  suggestion  of  friends  that  he  should 
explain  himself,  "  Oh !  the  Lord  Jesus  has  my  reputation  in 
his  keeping ;  I  have  committed  it  all  to  him,  and  he  will  take 
care  of  it."  There  were  those  in  the  charge  who  were  not  pre- 
pared to  accept  his  teachings  on  Christian  purity ;  but  who  as 
time  wore  on  espoused  them,  and  became  the  strongest  sup- 
porters of  his  ministry  and  his  warmest  personal  friends.  The 
Wednesday-afternoon  meeting  was  soon  an  institution  of  the 
Church  and  of  the  city,  and  comprised  among  its  habitual  at- 
tendants members  of  all  the  orthodox  churches,  of  whom  none 
were  more  constant  and  prominent  than  many  of  the  Society  of 
Friends. 

Mr.  Cookman's  ministry  had  always  had  a  charm  for  these  god- 
ly, thoughtful  people — probably  on  account  of  its  exceeding  sim- 
plicity and  spirituality — but  never  before  did  he  obtain  among 
them  such  marked  influence  as  in  Wilmington.  They  feasted 
on  his  words  with  as  much  regularity  and  zest  as  his  own  mem- 
bers. They  took  him  to  their  hearts  and  homes — a  partaker 
of  their  quiet,  unostentatious  hospitality,  breathing  the  pure  at- 
mosphere of  their  simple  piety,  he  returned  their  kindness  and 
confidence  with  the  benefactions  of  a  spiritual  prince. 

The  pleasant  impressions  received  by  Mr.  Cookman  on  his 
first  appearance  in  his  new  charge,  as  told  in  letters  to  his  wife, 
were  more  than  confirmed  by  succeeding  results. 

To  his  wife  : 

"WILMINGTON,  Saturday  afternoon,  1868. 

"  Here  I  am,  sitting  in  Mr.  H.'s  store,  corner  of  Market  and  Third  Streets, 
using  his  desk  and  implements  in  redeeming  my  promise  of  a  letter  to-day. 
A  pleasant  journey  yesterday  brought  me  to  Philadelphia  about  one  P.M.,  and 

at  four  o'clock  I  started  in  the  steam-boat  for  Wilmington.     Brother  R 

was  a  fellow-passenger,  with  whom  I  had  a  great  deal  of  pleasant  conversa- 
tion. At  half-past  six  Brother  S and  lady  gave  me  a  cordial  welcome. 


348  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

The  prayer-meeting  in  the  evening  was  largely  attended,  and  a  most  solemn 
and  profitable  season.  Rev.  Brother  Lightbourn  was  there.  The  friends 
seemed  to  enjoy  it  wonderfully.  The  people  are  as  kind  as  they  can  be,  and 
express  great  interest  to  see  us  comfortably  established  in  our  new  home. 
This  morning  I  called  at  the  parsonage.  Every  thing  is  very  neat  and  com- 
fortable. The  carpets  are  all  down,  except  the  parlor  carpet,  which  is  on  the 
floor,  and  will  be  tacked  on  Monday.  The  furniture  used  in  the  parlor  of 
their  previous  parsonage,  hair-cloth  sofa  and  chairs,  has  been  placed  in  the 
sitting-room,  and  green  velvet  furniture  purchased  for  the  present  parlor.  I 
think  ypu  will  like  and  enjoy  your  new  home.  This  morning  I  had  a  long 
walk  with  Brother  S .  Wilmington,  especially  in  its  environs,  is  a  beauti- 
ful city.  Providence  permitting,  we  will  have  some  delightful  strolls  together 
along  the  far-famed  Brandywine,"  etc. 

To  his  wife : 

"GRACE  PARSONAGE,  WILMINGTON,  DEL.,  April  9, 1868. 

"  At  my  study  table  again  !  in  one  of  the  nicest,  coziest  studies  I  have  had 
for  many  years.  You  will  want  a  detail  of  proceedings,  and,  as  I  am  a  sys- 
tematic man,  it  will  be  better  to  commence  with  Sunday.  Preached  twice ; 
in  the  morning  on  '  Old  paths,'  in  the  evening  on  the  '  One  thing  needful ;' 
administered  the  Sacrament  and  made  an  address.  It  was  a  glorious  day ; 
congregation  magnificent ;  Sacrament  the  most  blessed  service  of  that  kind 
I  have  enjoyed  for  years.  Friends  seemed  in  highest  spirits,  and  my  soul 
praised  God.  Monday  our  goods  were  delivered  at  the  parsonage.  I  un- 
wrapped the  furniture,  unpacked  the  piano,  my  pictures,  and  a  part  of  my 
books.  Monday  night  and  Tuesday  it  rained  like  a  young  deluge,  and  as 
some  of  the  goods  were  getting  wet,  and  I  was  almost  alone,  I  concluded  it 
was  better  for  me  to  unpack  a  little  more.  The  house  began  to  look  like 
home  when  I  started  on  Tuesday  in  the  rain  for  Philadelphia. 

"At  half-past  one  or  a  quarter  to  two  R and  the  children  arrived. 

I  intended  to  have  taken  them  in  the  steam-boat  at  four  P.M.,  but  they  had 
ordered  their  carriage  to  the  depot,  and  so,  after  lunching  in  the  city,  we  left 
again  in  the  half-past-three  train.  The  friends  had  carriages,  expecting  us 
by  the  steam-boat,  but  we  anticipated  them.  Proceeding  to  the  parsonage, 
we  took  the  ladies  a  little  by  surprise.  It  did  not,  however,  make  the  slight- 
est difference.  The  children  are  delighted  with  their  new  home.  Frank 
says  it  is  delightful,  and  thinks  his  ma  will  enjoy  it  very  much,  and  indeed, 
every  thing  is  very  pretty  and  very  comfortable.  It  suits  me.  The  trustees 
and  their  wives  gave  us  a  most  affectionate  welcome.  Supper  was  provided 
and  served — fried  oysters,  chicken  salad,  ham,  rolls,  Maryland  biscuits, 


GETTING    SETTLED. — SUNDAY   AT   MANHEIM.  349 

sliced  oranges,  cakes,  tea,  coffee,  etc.  The  evening  was  spent  most  delight- 
fully. About  half-past  ten,  when  they  would  leave,  I  proposed  some  sing- 
ing, and  then  knelt  down  and  offered  our  new  home  to  God.  It  was  a  sea- 
son of  interest  and  comfort. 

"  This  morning  I  have  been  arranging  my  books,  while  Rebecca  is  here, 
there,  and  every  where — the  best  sister-in-law  that  the  Lord  ever  made. 
The  boys  behaved  beautifully  last  evening.  I  was  proud  of  them.  This 
morning  they  have  been  helping  me  with  my  books,  but  now  they  are  out  in 
the  field  enjoying  a  game  of  ball.  This  evening  they  are  all  invited  to  a 
birthday-party  at  Brother  B.'s.  If  the  weather  is  favorable  I  think  Rebecca 
and  the  children  will  make  a  little  excursion  to  Philadelphia  to-morrow  in 
the  steam-boat.  Going  at  seven  A.M.,  they  can  have  nearly  seven  hours  in 
the  city.  Rebecca  says  I  must  tell  you  there  are  mattresses  on  every  bed, 
blankets  on  every  bed,  pillows  for  every  bed,  sheets  for  every  bed,  etc. 
Providence  permitting,  I  wish  to  start  for  Columbia  on  Monday,  and  bring 
you  to  the  city  on  Tuesday.  Then  you  must  decide  where  you  will  stay,  for 
all  want  you.  Wednesday,  after  interring  our  dear  boy,  we  will  leave  for 
Columbia." 

The  summer  of  1868  opened  auspiciously,  and  Mr.  Cookman 
entered,  about  the  middle  of  July,  upon  the  customary  religious 
campaign.  The  first  camp-meeting  was  that  of  the  National 
Association,  held  at  Manheim,  Lancaster  County,  Pa.  The  lo- 
cation had  been  selected  by  himself.  The  attendance  from 
North,  East,  West,  and  South  exceeded  all  expectations — the 
friends  of  the  cause  came  together  from  the  remotest  parts  of 
the  country.  A  correspondent  of  The  Daily  Spy,  of  Columbia, 
in  writing  under  date  of  July  2Oth,  spoke  of  the  Sunday  and  its 
services  as  follows : 

"  MANHEIM,  July  20, 1868. 

"  MR,  EDITOR, — We  have  been  permitted  to  spend  a  Sabbath  at  camp- 
meeting,  and  truly  it  was  a  day  long  to  be  remembered  for  the  crowds  of 
people  and  clouds  of  dust.  The  atmosphere  was  like  Egyptian  darkness — 
an  atmosphere  '  that  might  be  felt.'  The  streams  of  dusty  humanity  which 
flowed  along,  from  early  morn  till  late  in  the  evening,  seemed  to  have 
but  one  object  in  view — to  see  what  was  to  be  seen,  and  raise,  or  keep  up, 
the  already  thick  clouds  of  choking  dust  that  pervaded  tents,  eyes,  ears,  hair, 
and  clothes  of  all.  I  would  not,  after  all,  have  been  absent  for  a  valua- 


350  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

ble  consideration.  To  have  the  privilege  of  attending  the  experience-meet- 
ing at  the  stand  at  eight  o'clock  in  itself  would  compensate  for  all  the 
sweltering  and  crowding  to  which  we  were  exposed.  There  were  nearly, 
if  not  quite,  five  hundred  witnesses  for  Jesus,  who  gladly  stood  up  and  de- 
clared, in  the  face  of  Heaven  and  the  vast  crowd  by  which  they  were  sur- 
rounded, that  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  had  cleansed  them  from  all  sin. 
This  was  the  largest  experience-meeting  I  ever  saw,  and  such  a  holy  feeling 
pervaded  the  assembly  that  happiness,  peace,  and  joy  were  portrayed  on  ev- 
ery countenance.  Again  and  again  could  be  heard  the  loud  cry  of '  Glory 
to  God !'  It  required  no  stretch  of  imagination  to  liken  them  to  the  hosts 
of  the  Most  High  while  going  up  to  possess  the  goodly  land.  Truly  the 
Lord  of  Hosts  was  among  His  people.  These  exercises  were  continued 
nearly  to  the  preaching  hour — ten  o'clock.  A  few  remarks  of  caution  and 
advice  were  made  by  Presiding  Elder  Gray,  in  his  usual  clear  and  decisive 
manner,  telling  the  people  that  Bishop  Simpson,  who  was  to  preach,  could 
be  heard  by  all,  if  perfect  stillness  was  observed.  At  the  appointed  hour 
the  Bishop  advanced  to  the  stand,  and,  looking  out  over  the  sea  of  upturned 
faces,  gave  out  the  hymn  commencing  with,  '  When  I  survey  the  wondrous 
cross,'  etc.  After  prayer,  he  read  for  the  first  lesson  the  nineteenth  Psalm, 
and  for  the  second  the  eighth  of  Romans.  The  text  was  Romans,  eighth 
chapter  and  fourteenth  verse — '  As  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  they 
are  the  sons  of  God.'  The  sermon  was  all  that  expectation  could  hope  for 
or  the  heart  could  desire.  The  time  occupied  in  delivery  was  one  hour  and 
twenty  minutes,  and,  although  on  many  heads  the  sun  poured  down  his  fierce 
and  sickening  rays,  the  attention  was  constant  and  the  interest  unflag- 
ging. The  good  Bishop  opened  up  a  vista  of  happiness  and  glory  to  many 
anxious  souls,  knowing  that  in  heaven  they  have  a  '  more  enduring  inherit- 
ance.' 

"  In  the  afternoon  Rev.  Mr.  Inskip  occupied  the  stand.  This  discourse  I 
did  not  hear  ;  but  in  the  evening,  at  half-past  seven  o'clock,  the  Rev.  Alfred 
Cookman,  with  all  that  earnestness  and  Christian  sympathy  for  which  he  is 
distinguished,  kept  the  assembly  interested,  while  he  showed  the  deep  ne- 
cessity of  making  a  full  surrender  of  all  to  God. 

"The  afternoon  children's  prayer-meeting  in  the  Columbia  tent  was  to  the 
'  little  ones '  a  happy  time.  I  felt  for  the  children  ;  the  warm  day  was  quite 
enough  to  bear,  but  to  be  inclosed  by  a  wall  of  unthinking  men  and  women 
was  quite  too  bad.  The  exercises  were  well  worthy  of  attention,  but  a 
thought  for  the  comfort  of  the  children  should  have  been  enough  to  scatter 
the  crowd  that  walled  up  both  ends  of  the  tent." 

Mr.  Cookman,  as  might  be  expected,  was  every  where  present 


CAMP-MEETING   AT   MANHEIM.  351 

and  active  throughout  the  meeting.  He  was  selected  to  preach 
the  sermon  on  Sunday  evening.  The  responsibility  he  felt  to 
be  well-nigh  insupportable,  but  after  unusual  time  spent  in 
prayer  and  meditation,  he  chose  his  subject  and  went  to  the 
pulpit,  when  to  his  surprise  the  conviction  was  forcibly  made 
upon  his  mind  —  "You  must  abandon  your  sermon  and  tell 
your  experience."  He  yielded  reluctantly  to  what  seemed  to 
be  the  Spirit's  guidance.  As  he  proceeded  to  narrate  the  man- 
ner in  which  God  had  led  him,  particularly  into  the  blessing  of 
full  salvation,  the  impression  upon  the  congregation  deepened 
with  every  word,  until  the  effect  was  overwhelming.  The  im- 
mense audience  was  entirely  subdued,  notes  of  victory  rang 
over  the  whole  ground,  and  throughout  the  night  from  every 
tent  might  be  heard  the  songs  of  spiritual  joy.* 

Such  was  the  impulset  given  to  the  National  Association  by 
the  Manheim  meeting  that  it  was  resolved  to  hold  at  least  two 
meetings  during  the  coming  year.  Beyond  this  meeting  there 
is  no  distinct  record  of  Mr.  Cookman's  movements  among  the 
camp-meetings  of  the  summer.  It  is  likely  that  he  took  his  ac- 
customed tour. 

The  ensuing  autumn  and  winter  found  him  steadily  devoted 

*  Correspondence  of  The  Methodist,  August  i  :  "  None  who  were  privi- 
leged to  be  present  will  ever  forget  the  Sunday  evening  when  Rev.  Alfred 
Cookman  led  the  congregation  to  God,  and  pressed  upon  them,  with  master- 
ly and  persuasive  eloquence,  the  question  of  true  spiritual  power  as  con- 
nected with  personal  holiness,  and  in  a  most  fervent  prayer  led  the  congre- 
gation to  the  cross.  Men  fell  under  the  mighty  power  of  God  in  all  parts 
of  the  ground.  This  was  only  equaled  by  the  wonderful  Pentecostal  season 
of  Monday  evening." 

t  Ibid. :  "  The  entire  meeting  was  wonderfully  well  managed.  I  never  saw 
such  excellent  generalship  as  that  displayed  by  them.  This  meeting  must 
tell  on  the  entire  Church  of  the  present  with  power.  Ministers  and  people 
humbled  themselves  that  God  might  exalt  the  Church  with  His  wonder- 
ful power,  and  clothe  it  with  the  glory  of  God  that  rested  upon  the  ancient 
altars." 


352  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

to  his  pastoral  work,  with  such  occasional  outside  engagements 
as  claimed  him  throughout  his  career.  Very  soon  a  gracious 
influence  began  to  pervade  the  congregation.  All  the  means 
of  grace  increased  in  the  numbers  who  frequented  them.  The 
meeting  for  holiness  grew  not  only  in  numbers  but  in  unction, 
and  worked  like  leaven  through  the  whole  religious  community. 
The  ordinary  prayer-meetings  were  thronged,  and  awakenings 
and  conversions  were  of  common  occurrence.  Before  the  win- 
ter had  passed  a  deep  and  thorough  revival  of  religion  took 
place,  and  many  accessions  were  made  to  the  Church.  The 
revival  thus  began  continued  with  more  or  less  power  during 
the  entire  term,  resulting  from  year  to  year  in  the  salvation  of 
penitent  sinners  and  in  the  purification  of  believers — in  view 
of  the  results  of  which  one  has  said,  "  I  believe  eternity  alone 
will  reveal  the  good  he  accomplished  at  Grace."  While  the 
congregation  and  Sunday-school  generally  shared  in  the  blessed 
fruits,  the  students  of  the  Wesleyan  Female  College  partici- 
pated largely  in  them — very  many  of  the  young  ladies  were  con- 
verted and  established  in  the  principles  and  habits  of  a  Chris- 
tian life. 

Two  letters  of  this  period  are  valuable  as  expressions  of  pri- 
vate friendship  and  personal  piety,  and  as  showing  the  growth 
of  religion  in  the  Church. 

To  Mrs.  Lewis,  of  Columbus,  Ohio : 

"WILMINGTON,  February  i,  1869. 

*  *  «  "  Our  affection  for  you  and  Homer,  ten  years  old,  has  attained  to 
quite  a  stature — is  strong  and  healthy,  has  a  divinity  in  its  life,  and  promises 
to  be  not  only  a  joy  in  this  world,  but  a  beautiful  angel  in  the  Paradise  of 
everlasting  blessedness.  *  *  *  I  am  still  asking  for  my  New-year's  gift,  and 
will  accept  it  just  as  thankfully  now  as  though  it  had  been  given  coeval 
with  my  first  petition.  My  faithful  Lord  gave  me  with  the  beginning  of  the 
year  one  of  the  most  important  men  in  Grace  Church,  to  be  a  friend  if  not 
a  professor  of  holiness,  and  I  felt  that  this  was  almost  more  than  I  could 
have  asked  or  thought,  and  called  for  songs  of  loudest  praise.  He  is  also 
giving  me  light,  strength,  comfort,  and  unction.  Freedom  from  myself 


CHRISTIAN    SYMPATHY.  353 

and  the  fullest  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God,  is  what  I  am  specially  longing 
for."  *  *  * 

To  Mrs.  Stevens,  of  Wilmington,  while  absent  at  the  funeral 

of  her  mother : 

"  WILMINGTON,  June  10, 1869. 

*  *  *  "  Best  of  all,  in  New  York  or  in  Delaware,  you  may  confidently 
ask  for  the  special  grace  of  Him  whose  promises  are  the  brightest  stars  in 
our  firmament  during  the  dark  night  of  sorrow  and  affliction.  The  Infinite 
Jehovah  is  your  '  Husband,'  your  '  Father,'  your  '  Mother.'  He  takes  the 
place  of  all  the  loved  and  lost,  and  promises  sympathy,  watch-care,  support, 
and  blessing  in  every  affectionate  relationship  of  life. 

"  I  remember  your  venerable  mother  with  a  great  deal  of  interest  and 
pleasure.  Her  native  strength  of  character,  good  common-sense,  sober  in- 
telligence, quiet  but  dignified  manner,  through  which  her  gentle,  sympathiz- 
ing, and  loving  nature  sent  forth  bright  beams  to  illumine  and  gladden  oth- 
er lives — all  this  strongly  and  happily  impressed  me  with  a  sense  of  her 
great  worth.  I  have  no  doubt  that  you  will  feel  an  increased  tenderness  for 
every  body's  mother  now,  and  for  all  women  who  are  beginning  to  grow  old. 
Do  not  think  of  your  mother  as  having  gone  away.  No  love,  no  life,  goes 
ever  from  us — it  goes  as  He  (Jesus)  went,  that  it  may  come  again,  deeper 
and  closer  and  surer,  and  be  with  us  always,  even  to  the  end  of  the  world. 

"But  I  will  not  prolong  my  letter.  Every  thing  moves  on  in  Wilmington 
about  as  it  did  when  you  were  here.  Our  Wednesday  meeting  yesterday 
was  unusually  rich  in  testimony  and  unctuous  in  influence.  We  felt  that  we 
were  lifted  up  to  sit  as  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus.  The  Friday-even- 
ing meeting  is  well  attended.  On  last  Sabbath  your  name  was  called  as  one 
of  the  list  of  probationers  who,  having  stood  out  a  satisfactory  probation,  were 
entitled  to  the  privileges  of  full  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  It  was  a  beautiful  sight  to  see  the  altar  surrounded  by  those  whom 
I  might  entitle  '  our  joy  and  crown  of  rejoicing.'  " 

To  Mr.  Edward  Moore,  of  Wilmington,  who  was  sojourning 

in  Paris: 

"June  10, 1869. 

"  Shall  I  say  that  Jesus  continues  unspeakably  precious  in  my  experience  ? 
He  teaches  me,  leads  me,  helps  me,  and  guards  me ;  but,  best  of  all,  saves 
me— docs  not  save  me  from  human  weakness  or  fallibility  or  infirmities, 
but  does  save  me  from  my  sins.  Oh,  how  I  love  to  love  Jesus  !  We  are 
almost  counting  the  weeks  now  until  your  return.  The  time  will  soon  trans- 
pire, and  then  we  will  again  '  together  sweetly  live.' " 


354  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

The  Fiftieth  Anniversary  (Jubilee)  of  the  Missionary  Society 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  held  in  the  city  of 
Washington,  D.  C.,  on  Sabbath  and  Monday,  the  zoth  and  nth 
of  January,  1869,  and  Mr.  Cookman  was  invited  to  take  part. 
He  preached  on  Sunday  morning  at  Wesley  Chapel,  spoke  at 
a  platform  meeting  at  the  Foundry  in  the  evening,  and  Mon- 
day evening  delivered  one  of  the  addresses  at  the  continuance 
of  the  anniversary  proper.  There  had  been  four  or  five  able 
addresses  in  the  morning,  and  three  or  four  equally  able  had 
been  delivered  in  the  evening  before  Mr.  Cookman  was  intro- 
duced to  the  audience.  For  two  long  days  the  people  had 
heard  of  nothing  but  "missions,"  and  it  seemed  as  though  both 
they  and  the  subject  had  been  exhausted — that  there  was  noth- 
ing left  for  him  to  say,  or,  if  he  found  any  thing  to  say,  that  he 
would  have  to  say  it  to  a  worn-out  and  retreating  audience. 
With  peculiar  adroitness  in  his  first  sentences  he  conciliated 
the  congregation,  and  was  heard  to  the  last  with  unflagging  at- 
tention. 

A  correspondent  of  The  Christian  Advocate  wrote  :  "  The  ad- 
dress was  pervaded  with  the  blessed  Spirit  of  the  Master,  and 
at  times  in  rapt  delight  the  audience  wept  and  rejoiced ;  and 
when  the  speaker  closed  his  remarks,  all  present  must  have 
felt  that  they  had  been  with  him  at  the  feet  of  Jesus  receiving 
instruction  and  comfort  for  further  effort." 

Another  correspondent  said  of  it :  "  His  theme  was  the  true 
missionary  spirit.  His  melting  pathos  and  indescribable  sweet- 
ness of  tone  won  every  heart  to  the  missionary  cause.  It  is 
impossible  to  express  the  power  of  this  address  upon  the  au- 
dience gathered  on  the  occasion,  and  the  limits  of  our  paper 
forbid  any  attempt  to  reproduce  the  words  or  thoughts  pre- 
sented." 

It  may  not  be  amiss,  as  the  missionary  cause  lay  near  Mr. 
Cookman's  heart,  and  enlisted — as  it  had  done  with  his  father 
— his  deepest  sympathies  and  strongest  efforts,  to  give  extracts 


A   MISSIONARY   SPEECH.  355 

from  this  address  as  published  in  the  Annual  Report  of  the 
Missionary  Society. 

After  introducing  himself  in  his  hard-pressed  position  as  a 
gleaner,  he  said  : 

"And  now,  sir,  looking  round  upon  the  field,  I  do  not  seem  to  see  a 
standing  stalk  of  truth.  These  brethren,  with  their  bright  blades  or  their 
keen  sickles,  have  been  gathering  the  harvest — they  have  even  carried  it 
to  the  mill.  They  have  ground  it  out  in  their  close,  clear,  vigorous  think- 
ing ;  they  have  manufactured  it  into  nourishing  and  delightful  food,  and  it 
has  been  dealt  out  among  the  people ;  you  have  been  enjoying  it  in  the 
morning  and  in  the  evening,  and  are  now  entirely  satisfied.  It  seems  to  me 
that  it  only  remains  to  return  thanks  and  go  home.  Or,  sir,  if  I  may  change 
the  figure,  I  have  thought  during  the  evening,  while  occupying  my  seat, 
that  we  have  been  engaged  during  the  day  in  the  inspection  of  our  great 
missionary  ship,  its  keel,  its  timbers,  its  planking,  its  deck,  its  machinery — a 
most  magnificent  piece  of  machinery  —  its  pilotage,  and  its  larder.  Our 
flags  are  flying,  our  officers  are  in  their  places,  and  all  that  we  are  needing, 
as  it  would  seem,  is  the  missionary  spirit,  which  might  be  entitled  the  mo- 
tive power." 

After  showing  that  liberal  contributions  of  money  might  be 
made  in  the  absence  of  the  real  power  necessary  to  success,  he 
continued :  . 

"  What  is  the  missionary  spirit  ?  Is  it  an  ordinary  interest  in,  or  a  kind 
of  general  concern  for,  the  heathen  abroad  and  the  heathen  at  home  ? — a 
cold  and  calculating  love  for  those  millions  that  have  so  long,  too  long,  lin- 
gered in  the  shadow  of  sin  and  of  death  ?  Nay,  sir,  such  a  spirit  as  that 
would  never  convert  the  world — has  never  illustrated  itself  as  the  secret 
spring  or  motive  power  of  self-sacrificing  and  successful  endeavor  in  this 
world.  There  must  be  love,  it  is  true,  but  then  let  us  remember  it  must  be 
love  on  fire  ;  it  must  be  love  in  a  paroxysm  ;  it  must  be  love  intensified,  ab- 
sorbing, all-controlling.  Observe,  if  you  please,  the  missionary  quitting  his 
home,  kindred,  native  land,  and  accustomed  comforts.  He  is  willing  to 
abide  in  the  ends  of  the  earth,  encompassed  by  heart-sickening  idolatrous 
superstition  and  crime.  Wherefore  ?  Is  it  because  of  a  simple  concern  re- 
specting the  temporal,  or  even  spiritual,  welfare  of  those  by  whom  he  may 
be  encompassed  ?  Nay,  I  insist  it  is  rather  because  of  the  Christ-given  and 
Christ-like  love  that  burns  in  his  heart  and  literally  consumes  his  life.  Oh, 
sir !  it  is  the  missionary  spirit  that  crosses  broad  seas,  that  clambers  cloud- 


356  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

crowned  mountains,  that  traverses  far-distant  regions,  that  sails  around  the 
world  if  it  may  save  but  a  single  soul.  It  is  the  missionary  spirit  that 
breathes  miasmas,  that  bears  heavy  burdens,  that  challenges  adversaries, 
that  imperils  precious  life,  that  laughs  at  impossibilities,  and  cries, '  This 
must,  and  this  shall  be  done.'  It  is  the  missionary  spirit  that  gives  and  bears 
sacrifices,  and  dies,  if  it  were  necessary,  and  if  it  were  possible,  a  hundred 
thousand  deaths,  if,  like  its  divine  Exemplar,  it  might  be  going  about  doing 
good.  Now,  as  I  have  said,  there  may  be  liberality,  but  there  can  not  be  the 
missionary  spirit  where  there  is  not  a  conscientious,  Christ-like  liberality." 

Inquiring,  then,  how  this  missionary  spirit  shall  be  excited 
and  maintained,  he  replied — "  First,  by  the  careful  contempla- 
tion of  the  spiritual  necessities  of  the  unregenerate  around  us." 
With  a  few  brief  touches  he  illustrated  the  power  of  the  eye  to 
report  to  and  sensibly  affect  the  heart,  and  proceeded  further 
to  discuss  a  more  vital  condition  : 

"  Again,  it  might  be  asked, '  Are  there  not  many  of  our  own  community 
who  are  familiar  with  temporal  and  spiritual  wretchedness,  who  are  ac- 
quainted with  the  necessities  of  the  heathen  world,  who  hear  of  this  subject 
not  only  from  year  to  year,  but  more  frequently,  and  yet  they  have  none  of 
those  exercises  or  experiences  of  missionary  zeal  ?'  That  is  true — that  is 
undeniable ;  and  so  we  are  constrained  to  the  conclusion  that  something 
more  is  indispensable  than  this  simple  consideration.  What  is  that  some- 
thing ?  I  answer  that  it  is  a  union  and  a  living  sympathy  with  the  blessed 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And  now,  sir,  at  the  close  of  these  anniversary  exer- 
cises, this  thought  brings  me  where  I  joy  to  come,  and  where  I  would  like  to 
lead  this  little  company,  that  is,  to  Calvary.  I  throw  the  arms  of  my  affec- 
tion around  the  consecrated  cross  of  Jesus ;  I  drink  in,  in  constantly  in- 
creasing measure,  his  tender,  sympathizing,  self-sacrificing  spirit.  Now  from 
this  stand-point  of  the  cross— from  the  measure  of  that  feeling  which  influ- 
ences the  heart  and  life  of  the  divine  Redeemer— I  look  out  again  upon  the 
world ;  but  now  with  what  different  feelings !  Now  I  hear  with  Christ's 
cars,  I  feel  with  Christ's  heart,  I  see  with  His  eyes ;  now  I  am  ready  to  labor 
with  Christ's  energies ;  now  I  am  disposed  to  give  or  go,  or  do  or  dare,  or 
sacrifice  or  die— any  thing  and  every  thing— if  I  may  but  help  in  lifting  our 
sin-cursed  world  up  to  God.  This  experience  of  which  I  am  speaking  is  a 
vitalizing  principle ;  it  is  a  divine  force.  It  is  Jesus  reigning,  not  (as  my 
brother  would  say)  simply  in  the  skies  ;  there  is  something  better  than  that. 
We  can  have  heaven  on  the  way  to  heaven.  It  is  Jesus  reigning  in  per- 


THE   MISSIONARY   SPIRIT.  357 

sonal  consciousness  in  the  individual  heart ;  it  is  Christ  living,  breathing, 
dwelling,  and  triumphing  in  personal  life.  Philosophy  is  contemplative  and 
studious,  fond  and  full  of  plans  and  of  theories ;  infidelity,  as  we  all  know, 
is  given  to  boasting  and  to  detraction ;  both  of  them  laying  special  stress 
upon  the  human  rather  than  upon  the  divine. 

"  But,  Mr.  President  and  Christian  friends,  after  all  their  proud  vaunting, 
pray  tell  me  what  heathen  shores  have  they  ever  visited  for  purposes  of 
mercy  ?  What  funeral  pyre  have  they  ever  extinguished  ?  What  dumb  idol 
have  they  ever  cast  down  from  its  pedestal  ?  What  nation  have  they  ever 
lifted  up  from  its  barbarism  and  degradation?  What  profligate  have  they 
ever  reclaimed  ?  What  sorrowful  heart  have  they  ever  cheered  ?  Where 
to-night  are  their  earnest,  self-sacrificing  missionaries  ?  Where  are  their 
organizations  for  the  amelioration  of  human  suffering  and  the  extension  of 
wholesome  and  blessed  truth  in  the  world  ?  Where  are  their  Pauls,  their 
Barnabases,  their  Wesleys,  Wilberforces,  Thomas  Cokes,  Asburys,  How- 
ards, Phebes,  Dorcases,  Nightingales,  and  Elizabeth  Frys  ?  I  ask  it  with 
confidence  and  with  Christian  exultation.  In  vain  I  wait  for  an  answer — 
there  cometh  none.  Sir,  we  must  come  to  Christ ;  we  must  drink  in  His 
Spirit ;  for  it  is  there,  and  there  only,  we  will  find  the  source  and  the  fount- 
ain of  this  missionary  spirit,  which  is  so  needful  and  so  indispensable.  The 
theory  and  practice  of  missions,  as  I  take  it,  can  be  expressed  almost  in  a 
single  sentence.  It  is  love  to  the  blessed  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  has  bought 
us  with  his  blood,  drawing  forth  the  stream  of  human  sympathy,  human  af- 
fection, and  human  endeavor — a  stream  which,  by  an  invariable  law  of  nat- 
ure and  of  God,  seeks  the  lowest  place — for,  let  me  say  to  you,  that  Chris- 
tian compassion,  like  Christ's  compassion,  always  flows  downward,  and  fix- 
es upon  those  who  need  it  the  most.  Was  it  not  so  with  Paul  ?  The  love 
of  Christ  constrained  him,  and  he  counted  not  his  life  dear  unto  him  so 
that  he  might  but  glorify  his  Saviour,  propagate  His  Gospel,  save  immortal 
souls,  and  finish  his  course  with  joy. 

"  Mr.  President,  that  great  man  had  been  to  Calvary.  *  *  *  As  we  heard 
remarked  this  morning,  with  him  it  was  a  master  passion  in  death.  I  lin- 
gered in  the  dungeon,  I  looked  over  the  shoulder  of  that  great  servant  of 
Jesus  Christ  as  he  wrote  his  last  epistle  that  he  indicted  to  a  faithful  apos- 
tle, and  I  read  with  the  speaker  of  this  morning  these  words  :  '  I  am  ready 
to  be  offered,  and  the  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand.  I  have  fought  a 
good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith.  Henceforth 
there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteousness  which  the  Lord,  the  right- 
eous Judge,  shall  give  me  at  that  day.'  Here  my  brother  stopped ;  but  I 
read  on  a  little  farther, '  And  not  for  me  only.'  There  came  out  his  mis- 


358  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

sionary  spirit.  That  would  have  been  too  narrow,  circumscribed,  and  self- 
ish for  that  great  heart.  'Not  for  me  only.'  Oh !  Paul  at  that  hour  took 
in  the  hundreds  of  millions  of  the  world's  population — '  Not  for  me  only, 
but  for  all  those  that  love  His  appearing.'  *  *  * 

"  Mr.  President,  I  am  not  by  any  means  despondent  or  discouraged ;  but, 
on  the  contrary,  I  am  full  of  cheerful  hope  and  of  Christian  confidence.  I  be- 
lieve the  clouds  above  will  vanish.  I  believe  the  right  is  about  to  conquer. 

" '  Clear  the  way  ! 
A  brazen  wrong  is  crumbling  into  clay. 

With  that  right 
Shall  many  more  enter,  smiling,  at  the  door. 

With  that  wrong 

Shall  follow  many  others,  great  and  small, 
That  for  ages  long  have  held  us  as  their  prey. 
Men  of  thought  and  men  of  action 

Clear  the  way.' 

I  believe  in  the  future.  *  *  *  I  believe  in  the  government  of  the  future,  and 
in  the  Church  of  the  future.  I  think  there  is  a  day  not  very  far  distant 
when  from  the  watch-towers  of  Asia,  once  the  land  of  lords  many,  there 
shall  roll  out  the  exultant  chorus,  '  One  Lord !'  when  from  the  watch-tow- 
ers of  Europe,  distracted  by  divisions  in  the  faith,  there  shall  roll  up  the 
grateful  chorus,  'One  faith!'  when  from  the  watch-towers  of  our  own 
America,  torn  by  controversies  respecting  the  initiatory  rite  into  the  visible 
Church  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  there  shall  roll  forth  the  inspiring  chorus,  '  One 
baptism  !'  when  from  the  watch-towers  of  Africa,  as  though  the  God  of  all 
the  race  were  not  her  God — as  if  the  Father  of  the  entire  human  family 
were  not  her  Father — when  from  the  watch-towers  of  neglected  and  de- 
spised Africa  there  shall  roll  forth  the  chorus,  'One  God  and  Father  of 
all !'  when  the  sacramental  host,  scattered  all  over  the  face  of  this  lower 
creation,  shall  spring  upon  their  feet,  and,  seizing  the  harp  of  thanksgiving, 
they  shall  join  in  the  chorus  that  shall  be  responded  to  by  the  angels,  '  One 
Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism,  one  God  and  Father  of  all,  who  is  above  all, 
and  through  all,  and  in  you  all ;'  '  to  whom  be  glory,  dominion,  and  majesty 
and  blessing  forever !' 

"  Mr.  President,  these  eyes  of  mine  may  not  see  that  day  of  rapture ;  but 
if  not,  then  I  expect  with  the  great  cloud  of  witnesses  to  stand  yonder  upon 
the  glory-illumined  battlements  of  immortality,  and  looking  down,  I  will 
surely  enjoy  the  feast  of  vision.  I  may  not  be  associated  with  those  who 
shall  send  up  from  the  earth  the  shout  that  'Jesus  reigns;'  if  not,  it  seems 


NATIONAL   CAMP-MEETING   AT   ROUND    LAKE.  359 

to  me  I  will  crowd  a  little  closer  to  the  throne  with  all  the  glorified  com- 
pany, and  I  will  join  with  them  in  singing  that  the  kingdoms  of  yonder 
world  have  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Christ.  Oh,  sir  !  at 
the  close  of  this  anniversary  day,  as  the  result  of  what  I  have  seen  and 
heard  and  enjoyed,  I  resolve  to  be  a  better  man,  and  to  be  a  more  devoted 
friend  to  the  missionary  cause." 

Ah !  how  little  it  was  thought  as  the  noble,  healthful-looking 
orator  took  his  seat  amid  shouts  and  tears,  that  these  conclud- 
ing references  to  himself  were  so  painfully  prophetic !  Three 
brief  years — and  yonder  he  is  on  the  battlements,  crying  to 
Christ's  hosts  still  in  the  conflict,  "  Forward !  and  I  will  be 
looking  down  upon  you." 

By  an  act  of  the  General  Conference  of  1868  the  Philadel- 
phia Conference  had  been  divided.  All  that  portion  of  its  ter- 
ritory in  Delaware,  Maryland,  and  Virginia  lying  between  the 
Delaware  and  Chesapeake  bays,  and  known  as  the  Peninsula, 
had  been  set  off  to  itself,  and  denominated  the  Wilmington 
Conference.  The  new  Conference  held  its  first  session  in  Wil- 
mington. Mr.  Cookman  remained  in  the  Conference,  and  was 
re-appointed  to  Grace  Church  for  the  second  year.  He  thus 
found  himself  a  leading  member  in  a  leading  charge  of  a  form- 
ing Conference,  and,  with  a  loyalty  to  Methodism  exceeded  by 
none,  he  addressed  himself  vigorously  to  the  development  and 
conservation  of  the  elements  of  progress  within  its  bounds. 

The  National  Committee  had  appointed  their  annual  camp- 
meeting  for  July  6th,  at  Round  Lake,  near  Saratoga,  New  York. 
The  success  of  the  two  previous  meetings  at  Vineland  and 
Manheim,  the  eligibleness  of  the  location  at  Round  Lake,  the 
increasing  attention  awakened  in  the  subject  of  Christian  holi- 
ness, drew  together  a  vast  concourse  of  people.  Representa- 
tives were  there  from  well-nigh  all  the  states,  the  Canadas,  and 
even  from  England. 

"  The  cosmopolitan  character  of  the  meeting  is  a  very  marked  feature  of 
the  occasion,  and  while  the  word  '  National '  is  sometimes  criticised  as 
meaning  too  much,  yet,  in  the  sense  that  it  is  national,  it  does  not  express 


360  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

enough,  for  here  are  representatives  from  many  distant  parts  of  the  world. 
Our  first  introduction  on  the  ground  was  to  Rev.  N.  Cyr,  of  Paris,  who  had 
been  attracted  by  the  catholic  design  of  the  meeting,  and  is  here  to  see  and 
share  its  blessed  fruits.  He  compares  it  with  the  meetings  held  by  the 
Evangelical  Society  during  the  great  Exposition  in  his  own  city.  Here,  too, 
is  a  publisher  from  London,  D.  Morgan,  Esq.,  who  has  come  all  the  way 
across  the  Atlantic  to  be  present  at  the  great  American  camp-meeting. 
He  is  a  most  enthusiastic  admirer  of  the  simplicity  of  the  scene,  as  also 
of  the  vastness  of  the  scale  on  which  the  camp  is  laid  out.  Another,  who  is 
relating  a  blessed  experience  in  the  preachers'  love-feast,  is  a  Methodist 
clergyman  from  Canada. 

"  Besides  all  these,  there  are  our  own  adopted  brethren  of  every  land  and 
clime,  some  of  whom  know  our  common  Christian  character  better  than 
they  know  our  tongue. 

"  There  are  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  clergymen  from  all  portions  of 
our  great  work.  The  location  is  most  admirably  suited  to  secure  the  health 
and  comfort  of  the  congregated  thousands.  The  inclosure  of  forty  acres  is 
beautifully  situated  almost  on  the  margin  of  the  lovely  lake  from  which  the 
place  derives  its  name,  and  is  the  most  admirably  arranged  for  its  purpose 
of  any  thing  of  the  sort  we  have  ever  seen.  The  grove  is  charmingly  shady 
and  free  from  stumps  and  undergrowth,  while  the  fresh  breezes  from  the 
lake  play  with  the  fragrant  odors  of  the  hemlocks  which  perfume  the  grove 
and  fill  the  senses  with  purest  invigoration. 

"The  Sabbath  is  over,  the  great  day  of  the  feast !  At  a  quarter  to  five 
o'clock  A.M.  the  bell  of  the  tabernacle  announced  to  the  camp  the  hour  of 
early  worship,  and  at  once  the  pavilion  was  crowded  with  multitudes,  an 
earnest  of  the  '  day  of  rest.' 

"  The  love-feast,  at  eight,  was  an  occasion  as  only  can  be  enjoyed  at  such 
a  gathering  as  this.  Four  hundred  persons  in  some  way  or  other  spoke  of 
their  present  faith  in  Jesus,  and  mostly  testified  to  receiving  during  this 
meeting  the  consciousness  of  sanctifying  grace.  The  chief  feature  distin- 
guishing it  from  ordinary  camp-meeting  love-feasts  was  the  almost  full  re- 
sponse given  to  the  request,  by  the  leader  of  the  meeting,  that  each  state 
of  the  Union  should  be  represented  by  at  least  two  persons  in  their  experi- 
ences. Commencing  with  Maine,  John  Allen,  of  camp-meeting  notoriety, 
was  at  once  on  his  feet,  declaring  that '  this  was  the  one  hundred  and  ninety- 
ninth  camp-meeting  that  he  had  attended,  and  he  hoped  to  attend  as  many 
more.'  State  by  state — with  only,  perhaps,  the  exception  of  Louisiana, 
Texas,  and  Florida — happy  voices,  praised  God  for  the  common  salvation."* 

*  Correspondence  of  The  Methodist,  July  17,  1869. 


ACTIVITY   AT  CAMP-MEETINGS.  361 

Among  the  one  hundred  and  fifty  ministers,  none  was  more 
actively  engaged  in  the  work  than  Mr.  Cookman.  His  preach- 
ing, speaking,  and  private  conversations  were  a  feature  of  the 
meeting. 

On  returning  home  from  Round  Lake,  he  barely  took  time 
to  brush  from  his  feet  the  dust  of  one  field  before  he  was  off  to 
another.  He  attended  at  least  four  camp-meetings  on  the  Pe- 
ninsula— hastening  from  the  Camden  Union  to  Talbot  Union, 
near  Easton,  Maryland,  and  thence  to  EnnalPs  Springs,  and 
thence  homeward  to  Brandywine  Summit.  His  labors  at  any 
one  of  these  meetings  would  have  been  enough  to  exhaust  most 
men,  but  he  went  through  them  all  with  an  unflagging  interest. 
His  zeal  and  strength  seemed  to  know  no  abatement.  Every 
where  his  presence  excited  the  utmost  enthusiasm,  and  both 
preachers  and  people  rallied  under  his  leadership  with  a  unanim- 
ity and  intentness  which  rendered  his  services  during  this  season 
ever  memorable  for  the  marvelous  victories  achieved  for  the 
cross  of  Christ.  The  like  had  not  been  known  in  this  time-hon- 
ored region  for  many  years — the  old  battle-grounds  of  Asbury, 
Garrettson,  Smith,  Laurenson,  Cooper,  and  others  of  the  fathers, 
resounded  with  songs  of  triumph,  which  carried  the  "  oldest  in- 
habitants living  "  back  to  the  former  days,  and  made  them  feel 
that  modern  Methodism  was  still  instinct  with  apostolic  fire. 

To  his  wife,  at  Columbia,  Pennsylvania : 

"  WILMINGTON,  July  25, 1869. 

"  It  is  half-past  ten  o'clock,  time  for  retiring,  but  before  I  give  myself  to 
dreams  I  will  pen  a  few  lines  for  your  pleasure.  I  am  in  the  parsonage ; 
have  slept  here  every  night  since  I  left  you.  It  is  rather  desolate ;  never- 
theless I  am  retired  and  more  independent  than  I  could  be  at  the  homes  of 
the  dear  friends.  I  have  had  a  very  blessed  day.  Preached  morning  and 
evening  to  large  congregations  respecting  the  preciousness  of  Christ  It 
was  manna  for  my  own  soul.  Our  Sabbath-evening  prayer-meeting  was  very 
tender  and  profitable.  The  Camden  camp-meeting  is  in  full  blast.  Presi- 
dent Wilson  went  dovm  yesterday.  I  am  proposing  to  leave  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  remain  there  till  Wednesday  morning,  when  I  shall  return  in  time 

Q 


362  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

to  take  the  two  P.M.  train  from  Philadelphia  for  Long  Branch.  Many  of 
the  families  are  absent,  but  their  places  are  filled  with  the  members  of  other 
churches  and  strangers,  so  that  we  have  had  about  our  usual  congrega- 
tion. The  friends  now  are  all  interested  in  the  prospect  of  the  Brandywine 
camp.  Their  proposition  is  to  provide  a  tent  for  us.  They  will  not  hear 
to  any  thing  else  than  our  presence.  We  will  have  to  curtail  our  time  a  lit- 
tle at  Ennall's,  and  give  a  week  to  our  own  people.  I  believe  this  is  about 
all  the  news  I  have  to  communicate.  My  heart  is  kept  in  great  peace  by 
the  presence  and  power  of  the  indwelling  Spirit  Jesus  is  unspeakably 
precious.  This  is  the  first  letter  that  I  have  written  you  for  a  long  time. 
I  know  that  I  am  a  poor  husband  and  father — not  nearly  so  attentive  or 
affectionate  as  I  ought  to  be ;  nevertheless  there  are  none  so  dear  to  me  as 
my  little  home  circle.  I  want  to  be  a  great  deal  more  demonstrative  of  my 
real  feeling.  Pray  for  me.  You  know  what  a  good-for-nothing  brother  I 
am  in  my  own  estimation.  The  love  of  my  friends  and  of  the  blessed  Jesus 
amazes  me." 

To  his  wife : 

"  WILMINGTON,  Saturday  morning,  July  31. 

"  Excuse  the  lead-pencil ;  it  is  the  best  I  can  do  at  the  present  moment. 
During  this  week  I  have  been  so  situated  that  correspondence  or  letters 
have  been  out  of  the  question.  President  Wilson,  however,  was  a  living 
epistle,  who  communicated  at  least  that  he  had  seen  me,  and  that  I  was  well. 
The  friends  at  Camden  were  very  kind,  and  I  had  a  pleasant  time.  The 
meeting  did  not  strike  me  as  any  thing  special.  On  Tuesday  Bishop  James 
preached  a  really  powerful  sermon.  There  were  some  conversions,  but  so- 
ciability and  fashion  seemed  to  rule  the  hour.  On  Wednesday  I  proceeded 
to  Ocean  Grove,  reaching  there  in  the  evening  about  half-past  seven.  I 

found  a  number  of  tents  erected,  and  Brother  H ,  of  Troy,  and  wife  and 

daughter;  Brother  H ,  of  Albany,  and  wife  and  daughter  and  son; 

Brother  T and  wife ;   Brother  S and  wife ;  Brother  O and 

wife  ;  Brother  F and  wife  ;  Hughes,  Stockton,  Andrews  and  wife,  etc., 

etc. — a  nice  company,  and  a  specially  nice  time  boating,  bathing,  riding, 
rambling,  singing,  praying,  enjoying  clambakes,  hard  and  soft  crabs,  oysters, 
and  regular  sea-side  living.  Oh,  how  much  and  how  often  we  all  longed 
for  you  to  share  our  enjoyments ! 

"  The  place  is,  of  course,  rather  rough  as  yet,  but  it  impresses  me  most 
favorably.  I  believe  it  can  be  made  one  of  the  attractive  spots  of  the  con- 
tinent. An  extensive  grove — beautiful  sites  for  cottages — a  splendid  beach, 
and  then  two  lakes  on  either  side,  constituting  the  northern  and  southern 


UNION   CAMP-MEETING,  EASTON,  MD.  363 

boundaries  of  the  property — lakes  not  deep,  but  full  of  fish,  crabs,  etc.,  and 
where  the  children  could  swim,  boat,  etc. 

"  I  left  Long  Branch,  or  Ocean  Grove,  yesterday  morning,  and  arrived  at 
Wilmington  again  at  one  o'clock;  found  and  eagerly  read  your  letters,  and 
now  propose  to  start  to-day  for  Easton,  Maryland,  where  the  camp-meeting 
is  in  progress.  They  are  painfully  anxious  respecting  my  presence.  Re- 
turning the  latter  part  of  the  week,  I  do  not  think  that  I  can  be  absent  from 
Grace  Church  next  Sabbath;  but  after  the  Sabbath  will  hope  on  Tuesday 
or  Wednesday  to  join  you  in  Columbia,  and  on  Friday  start  for  EnnalPs 
Springs.  By  this  arrangement  I  will  scarcely  have  a  Sabbath  for  Columbia 
this  summer.  The  friends  here  are  generally  well.  Now  what  say  you  to 

W'illiamsport,  Pennsylvania  ?    T writes  me  offering  the  Presidency  of 

Dickinson  Seminary,  talks  about  the  education  of  my  boys — opportunity  for 
preaching  all  over,  etc.,  etc.,  and  asks  for  a  decision ;  but  I  believe  I  do  not 
see  it  as  he  does.  The  pastorate,  I  reckon,  is  my  proper  place.  We  will  talk 
it  and  other  matters  over  when  we  meet.  But  my  space  is  disappearing. 
Give  love  and  kisses  to  my  dear  children.  Tell  them  to  be  good  and  gen- 
tle and  obedient  and  kind.  If  practicable,  I  will  write  from  the  Peninsula." 

The  Union  camp-meeting,  held  near  Easton,  Maryland,  under 
the  management  of  Rev.  Dr.  E.  Kenney,  was  very  successful. 

"  Rev.  A.  Cookman,  of  Wilmington,  was  present  nearly  the  entire  time, 
and  his  devotion  of  spirit  was  participated  in  by  the  ministers  on  the  ground. 
The  entire  encampment  was  divided  into  sections,  and  the  ministers  were 
appointed  to  daily  duty  in  pastoral  visitation  to  every  tent  in  the  section  to 
which  they  were  assigned.  Every  tent  was  visited,  and  the  inmates  person- 
ally talked  with  on  the  subject  of  religion,  and  prayer  was  had  with  all  in 
the  tent.  At  one  o'clock  each  day  every  tent  on  the  ground  was  closed  for 
a  short  season  of  silent  prayer.  The  voice  of  prayer  could  be  heard  from 
different  parts  of  the  ground  during  the  intervals  of  public  service;  and,  as 
a  result,  this  meeting  was  a  great  success. 

"  On  the  last  night  of  the  Easton  meeting,  over  one  hundred  and  fifty  pen- 
itents knelt  at  the  altar  for  prayers.  At  eight  o'clock  each  morning  meet- 
ings were  held  for  the  distinct  object  of  the  sanctification  of  believers,  and 
at  nearly  every  service  many  presented  themselves  as  subjects  of  prayer 
who  were  seeking  heart  purity  or  the  forgiveness  of  sins.  There  was  no  dis- 
cussion on  controverted  points  of  theology,  but  in  perfect  harmony  all  la- 
bored together  to  promote  Christ's  work  in  the  hearts  of  the  people."* 
\_ 

*  Correspondence  of  The  Methodist,  1869. 


364  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

As  evidence  of  Mr.  Cookman's  power  in  prayer,  an  incident 
which  occurred  at  this  meeting  is  given  by  the  Rev.  John  Field, 

of  Philadelphia,  who  was  with  him  at  the  time:  "Captain  D 

had  presented  himself  repeatedly  at  the  altar  of  prayer.  One 
day  at  the  close  of  the  morning  service  the  Captain  came  out 
of  the  woods,  where  he  had  been  engaged  in  private  prayer,  and 
bowed  again  at  the  altar.  Brother  Cookman  noticed  him,  and 
immediately  called  attention  to  him.  '  Now,'  said  he, '  God  has 
promised  to  answer  the  united  prayers  of  two  or  three,  let  us 

put  Him  to  the  test.'     Turning  to  Brother  A ,  he  inquired, 

'  Do  you  believe  this  ?'  Brother  A answered  in  the  affirm- 
ative. He  asked  Brother  B the  same  question,  and  he 

also  answered  in  the  affirmative.  Brother  Cookman  said,  '  I 
also  believe  God's  Word  and  His  promise.'  Amid  profound  si- 
lence the  company  bowed  in  prayer.  Brother  A prayed, 

then  Brother  B .    Brother  Cookman  followed.    He  carried 

the  case  of  the  poor  penitent  right  to  the  Cross,  and  just  as  he 
closed  his  earnest  prayer, 

"  '  Heaven  came  down  our  souls  to  greet, 
While  glory  crowned  the  mercy-seat.' 

God's  blessed  Spirit  witnessed  with  Captain  D.'s  that  he  was 
born  of  God.  The  Captain  put  his  hand  into  his  side-pocket, 
and,  taking  therefrom  his  pocket  Bible,  said, '  Now  I  understand 
it' — the  passage  still  marked  and  pointing  to  it.  '  I  went  out 
alone,  bowed  beneath  the  shade  of  a  friendly  tree,  and  opened 
my  Bible ;  my  eye  rested  on  this  passage,  "  But  thou,  when  thou 
prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet,  and  when  thou  hast  shut  thy  door, 
pray  to  thy  Father  which  is  in  secret ;  and  thy  Father  which 
seeth  in  secret  shall  reward  thee  openly."  I  was  to  be  reward- 
ed openly,  and  I  am,  amid  this  vast  assembly — Glory  be  to  the 
Lamb!'  Brother  Cookman  took  the  Bible,  and  wrote  in  it, 
'  McNeil's  Woods,  August,  noon,  A.D.  1869,  the  happiest  day 
of  my  life,'  and  the  Captain  signed  it. 

During  the  progress  of  the  meeting  he  preached  frequently 


ENNALL'S  SPRINGS  CAMP-MEETING.  365 

and  with  great  power.  On  one  occasion  he  remained  up  the 
whole  night,  going  from  tent  to  tent,  instructing  penitents,  and 
praying  with  them." 

Nowhere  was  Mr.  Cookman  more  at  home  than  at  Ennall's 
Springs,  Dorchester  County,  Maryland.  He  had  been  accus- 
tomed from  his  early  ministry  to  resort  to  that  beautiful  spot, 
honored  of  God  in  the  conversion  of  so  many  people.  This 
year  was  the  semi-centennial  of  its  appropriation  as  a  place  for 
camp-meetings.  The  most  delightful  memories  thronged  about 
the  place ;  thousands  on  earth  and  thousands  in  heaven  had 
been  brought  to  God  there,  and  it  was  proposed  to  observe  the 
occasion  by  suitable  services.  The  account  of  the  meeting  by 
a  correspondent  of  The  Methodist  will  be  read  with  pleasure  by 
all  lovers  of  the  sacred  place,  and  all  who  prize  genuine  camp- 
meetings  : 

"  Rev.  Mr.  Prettyman,  who  was  present  at  the  first  meeting  held  on  the 
ground,  which  was  under  the  charge  of  Father  Boehm,  was  present,  and 
spoke  frequently  and  with  thrilling  pathos  of  scenes  witnessed  on  the  ground 
half  a  century  ago.  President  Wilson,  of  the  Wesleyan  Female  College ; 
Professor  Bowman,  of  Dickinson  College;  Professor  Fischer,  of  Philadel- 
phia; Mr.  Hurst,  of  Baltimore ;  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman,  of  Wilmington,  were 
present,  and,  with  Rev.  N.  M.  Brown,  preacher  in  charge,  Messrs.  Buoys, 
Watson,  Tompkinson,  Burke,  and  others  of  our  own  locality,  rendered  effi- 
cient service.  This  meeting  has  been  specially  favored  for  a  number  of 
years  with  the  earnest  labors  of  the  sweet-spirited  Cookman,  who  seems, 
when  there,  to  be  as  one  with  his  own  kindred.  Fondly  cherished  as  he  is 
by  the  people,  his  services  are  signally  successful.  His  name  is  identified 
with  the  greatest  triumphs  of  Christ  in  this  locality  of  late  years,  and  his  an- 
nual visitation  is  highly  appreciated  by  the  people,  and  his  absence  would 
be  greatly  felt  by  them.  We  may  express  the  hope  here  that,  for  the  honor 
and  success  of  Methodism  on  the  Eastern  Shore,  this  meeting  may  be  re- 
membered by  our  ministerial  brethren  and  friends  in  the  laity  in  future  years. 
Its  influence  has  been  very  great  in  concentrating  the  feeling  and  interest 
of  our  people  in  the  old  Church,  and  it  has  contributed,  perhaps,  as  much 
as  any  other  single  influence,  toward  holding  the  people  together,  and  keep- 
ing them  loyal  to  the  Church  in  the  trying  times  of  the  last  nine  years. 

"  The  meeting  this  year  has  not  fallen  behind  former  occasions.     Besides 


366  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

the  ordinary  services,  special  meetings  were  held  each  day  for  ministers,  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  A.  Cookman;  for  the  children,  in  which  occurred  a  number 
of  conversions ;  and  for  the  young  ladies  on  the  ground,  the  latter  conduct- 
ed by  Mrs.  Cookman,  Mrs.  President  Wilson,  and  Miss  Emily  Stevenson. 

"The  most  liberal  arrangements  were  made  for  the  entertainment  of  the 
preachers  in  attendance.  The  lodging-rooms  consisted  of  a  well-arranged 
frame  house  attached  to  the  preaching-stand,  where  every  home  convenience 
was  found.  The  honor  of  this  arrangement  belongs  to  Mr.  Robert  Thomp- 
son, who  erected  the  building  at  his  own  expense.  But  these  good  people 
are  not  satisfied  with  extending  a  week's  hospitality  to  the  preachers  that 
come  to  assist  in  the  meetings,  but  they  gladly  welcome  their  wives  and  fam- 
ilies as  well,  and  the  richest  provision  is  made  for  their  entertainment. 

"The  Sabbath  was  kept  holy,  and,  although  large  crowds  assembled  to 
listen  to  the  preaching,  there  was  nothing  to  complain  of  on  the  score  of 
show  in  dress,  or  time  wasted  in  promenading,  or  any  disorder.  The  serv- 
ices were  ushered  in  by  a  prayer-meeting  of  interest  at  five  o'clock,  followed 
by  an  old-fashioned  love-feast  at  eight.  The  latter  was  held  in  front  of 
the  stand,  and  was  conducted  by  Professor  Bowman. 

"  The  ground  soon  became  densely  thronged,  and  a  score  or  more  of  min- 
isters were  on  the  stand,  when,  at  ten  o'clock,  Rev.  A.  Cookman  arose  and 
announced,  as  the  text  for  the  morning  sermon,  the  words  :  '  Be  filled  with  the 
Spirit.'  His  sermon  was  listened  to  with  undivided  interest  and  attention." 

At  Brandy-wine  Summit,  a  few  days  later,  he  was  preaching 
and  working  with  equal  power.  It  was  not  enough  for  him  to 
deliver  one  of  the  sermons  on  Sunday,  but  he  must  occupy  the 
pulpit  the  last  evening  of  the  meeting.  He  was  found,  too, 
among  the  children,  lifting,  by  his  tender,  Christ-like  spirit,  the 
little  ones  to  God. 

"  Rev.  A.  Cookman  on  the  last  night  of  the  meeting  preached  a  search- 
ing sermon,  calling  upon  the  people  to  estimate  the  value  of  the  soul,  and 
what  is  lost  in  losing  it,  and  what  profit  it  would  be  if  all  else  in  this  life 
was  gained  but  the  soul  lost.  At  midnight,  in  the  greatest  solemnity,  the 
Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was  administered  to  about  thirteen  hundred 
persons. 

"The  children's  meetings,  held  during  the  progress  of  the  camp,  and  un- 
der the  management  of  Rev.  Messrs.  Cookman,  Clymer,  Gracey,  and  Pan- 
coast,  were  of  more  than  usual  interest.  They  were  not  mere  occasions  of 
amusement  in  story-telling  and  pleasure  in  singing,  but  the  most  searching 


PLEASING   INCIDENT   AT   SPRING   GARDEN.  367 

appeals  were  made  to  the  children,  and  prayer-meeting  followed,  when  scores 
presented  themselves  at  the  altar  for  prayers,  and  many  were  converted. 
Nothing  during  the  meeting  was  more  impressive  than  to  see  these  little 
ones  of  the  household  arise  and  tell  of  the  love  of  Jesus  as  they  felt  it  in 
their  hearts.  In  these  meetings,  little  boys  and  girls,  from  ten  to  fourteen 
years  of  age,  led  in  earnest  prayer.  While  a  sacred  stillness  prevailed  in 
the  immense  tent  in  which  the  services  were  held,  the  voice  of  a  boy  or  girl 
arose  in  sweetest  tones  to  the  throne  of  heavenly  mercy,  aged  veterans  knelt 
before  God  with  faces  bathed  in  tears,  and  vast  crowds  looked  on,  while  a 
little  child  should  lead  them.  On  the  last  day,  the  brethren  above  mention- 
ed stood  in  the  midst  of  this  exceedingly  large  and  interesting  group  of  chil- 
dren, and,  while  many  tears  were  shed,  shook  hands  with  each,  and  invoked 
on  each  the  divine  blessing.  Mothers  came  leading  their  little  ones  forward 
to  be  prayed  for  by  Christian  pastors."* 

In  connection  with  the  children's  meeting  referred  to,  a  pleas- 
ing incident  which  occurred  while  Mr.  Cookman  was  at  Spring 
Garden  may  be  appropriately  mentioned.  A  gentleman  from 
the  far  West,  writing  immediately  after  his  death,  said  : 

"  I  attended  his  ministry  at  Spring  Garden,  Philadelphia,  during  the  win- 
ter of  1866.  I  loved  him  then,  but  not  as  I  have  for  the  past  five  years. 
*  *  *  I  shall  never  forget  one  incident  that  occurred  at  that  church — that 
was  when  a  dear  little  son  of  his,  of  only  eight  years,  presented  himself  as 
a  candidate  for  probation.  My  heart  melted  then,  as  hundreds  besides, 
when  I  saw  the  strong  man  bowed  like  a  child,  and  heard  him  ask  the  Church 
if  he  should  receive  that  lamb  into  the  fold.  I  saw  the  loving  father  then 
as  never  before — also  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  when  he  said,  '  Suffer  little  chil- 
dren to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of 
Heaven.' 

"  When  I  saw  Brother  Cookman  years  afterward,  I  asked  him  if  he  re- 
membered that  incident,  and  if  that  little  boy  had  remained  faithful.  '  Oh, 
yes,'  he  said ;  '  he  is  about  twelve  years  old  now,  and  is  a  sanctified  boy.'  " 

While  on  this  subject  it  will  not  be  amiss  to  insert  an  extract 
from  a  short  speech  which  fell  from  his  lips  on  one  occasion  at 
a  Sunday-school  convention : 

"  The  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman  arose,  and  expressed  his  confidence  in  the 
conversion  of  children,  declaring  that  he  did  not  believe  '  the  way  to  heaven 

*  Correspondence  of  The  Methodist. 


368  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

lay  through  the  territory  of  sin,'  but  that  children  at  an  early  age  might  be 
brought  to  a  saving  knowledge  of  redeeming  love;  citing  as  an  illustration 
the  case  of  a  boy  who  was  converted  at  the  age  of  ten,  who  was  a  pupil  in 
the  Sabbath-school,  became  a  teacher,  a  librarian,  an  exhorter,  afterward  a 
minister  of  the  Gospel,  and  who  then  stood  before  them,  to  speak  his  faith 
in  the  power  of  regenerating  grace  in  the  hearts  of  the  young. 

"  Mr.  Cookman  of  course  referred  to  his  own  history ;  and  those  who  are 
familiar  with  his  love  for  children,  and  his  rare  power  to  interest  them,  can 
not  but  feel  grateful  that  he  was  so  early  called  of  God,  since  perhaps  to  this 
may  be  attributed  that  sympathy  which  he  entertains  for  them  ;  a  sympathy 
which  has  encouraged  many  youthful  hearts  to  beat  with  holy  aspirations 
for  the  favor  of  that  Saviour  who  said,  '  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto 
me.' " 

After  his  return  from  these  meetings,  Mr.  Cookman  wrote  to 
the  Rev.  L.  R.  Dunn,  of  the  Newark  Conference  : 

"  You  will  be  glad  to  know  that  the  banner  of  full  salvation  is  flying  glo- 
riously in  the  forests  of  this  time-honored  section.  The  spirit  of  holiness 
that  made  Abbott  and  Garrettson  and  our  fathers  great,  is  coming  back  to 
the  churches  founded  by  their  hands  over  all  this  historic  region.  The 
breath  of  the  Divinity  is  stirring.  Hallelujah  !" 


CHAPTER  XXL 

GRACE   CHURCH. — SKILL   IN  THE  PASTORATE. — NATIONAL  CAMP- 
MEETINGS   AT   HAMILTON,  OAKINGTON,  AND   DESPLAINES. 

THE  camp-meetings  over,  the  devout  pastor  was  once  more 
'  quietly  seated  in  the  bosom  of  his  family,  and  again  engaged 
in  those  regular  pastoral  duties  which  to  him  were  more  con- 
genial than  all  besides.  It  was  in  vain  that  he  was  invited  to 
step  aside  from  his  chosen  work  into  an  educational  institution 
— whatever  might  be  the  advantages  of  a  settled  home  and 
school  facilities  for  his  children,  his  mission,  to  himself  at  least, 
was  clear.  The  immediate  care  of  souls  was  to  him  unspeaka- 
bly precious ;  to  feed  the  flock  of  Christ,  an  employment  be- 
yond any  other  which  the  Church  could  offer  him.  The  state 
of  his  feelings  and  the  state  of  his  parish  are  reflected  in  a 
letter  to  his  friend,  Rev.  J.  S.  Inskip,  President  of  the  National 
Camp-meeting  Association : 

"WILMINGTON,  November  5,  1869. 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  kind  letter.  Your  debtor  in  correspondence,  I  was 
thinking  of  discharging  the  obligation,  and  thus  writing  another  missive, 
when,  lo  !  my  large-hearted  brother  heaps  favor  on  favor.  This  is  like  the 
Divine  ;  and  I  know  you  want  to  bear  the  image  of  the  Heavenly. 

"  Before  your  last  note  arrived,  I  had  received  from  Brother  Gray  the  ar- 
ticles of  agreement  respecting  the  Oakington  meeting,  which  I  read,  signed, 
and  forwarded  to  the  brethren  at  Havre  de  Grace.  They  seemed  to  cover 
all  the  points  that  had  occurred  to  my  mind.  Their  desire  to  have  the 
counsel  and  co-operation  of  Brother  Samuel  Hindes  is,  I  think,  wise  and 
well.  He  will  prove,  I  believe,  a  most  valuable  helper.  I  deeply  sympa- 
thize with  all  you  write  respecting  the  magnitude  of  our  responsibilities, 
and  the  great  need  of  power — physical,  intellectual,  and  spiritual — that  we 
may  stand  in  our  lot,  and  quit  ourselves  successfully  as  the  servants  of  holi- 

Q  2 


37°  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

ness.  My  encouragement,  however,  is  that  we  are  moving  in  the  divine 
order,  and  that  in  the  path  of  God's  appointment  we  may  confidently  hope 
for  His  presence  and  help,  which  guarantee  the  right  results.  \Ve  have  put 
our  hands  in  the  grasp  of  the  Infinite,  saying, 

"  '  Only  Thou  our  leader  be, 
And  we  still  will  follow  Thee.' 

Where  divine  wisdom  will  lead  us,  or  what  our  Father  may  have  for  us  to  do 
in  the  future,  remains  to  be  known.  When  clubs  of  athletes  are  crossing 
oceans  and  continents  fora  simple  and  useless  test  of  physical  skill  and  power, 
who  knows  but  bands  of  Christian  brothers  may  be  summoned  to  the  shores 
of  the  Pacific  or  the  sea-girt  isle  to  fling  out  the  banner  of  Christian  holi- 
ness, and  offer  the  sweetest  privilege,  the  richest  experience,  that  God  has " 
arranged  for  our  wretched  but  redeemed  race.  I  am  very  humble,  quiet, 
trustful,  and  peaceful  in  my  spiritual  state.  My  hope  and  help  are  in  the 
Lord  Jehovah  that  made  heaven  and  earth.  He  has  never  done  otherwise 
than  honor  and  vindicate  my  confidence  in  Him,  and  I  am  encouraged  to 
lean  harder  on  His  truth  and  power  and  love. 

"  Our  Wednesday  meeting  is  still  well  attended,  and  proves  a  fountain  of 
blessing.  We  have  Christians  of  all  names,  and  they  place  an  increasing 
appreciation  on  the  privilege.  God  has  been  pouring  out  His  spirit  in  some 
of  the  churches,  especially  on  old  Asbury — the  altar  is  crowded  from  even- 
ing to  evening  with  a  most  interesting  class  of  penitents.  Mercy  drops  with 
the  prospect  of  a  glorious  shower  of  grace,  and  is  falling  on  Epworth,  the 
Mission  Chapel  of  Grace.  Oh,  that  Wilmington  may  be  baptized  in  an  un- 
precedented manner  and  measure  !  Mrs.  C is  well,  and  wishes  to  be 

most  affectionately  remembered  to  Sister  Inskip  and  yourself.  Write  soon. 
I  love  you  tenderly  in  the  blessed  Jesus." 

He  was  invited  to  Philadelphia  to  speak  at  the  anniversary  of 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  held  in  the  Academy  of 
Music,  November  3oth.  In  the  address  which  he  delivered  one 
can  not  but  be  struck  with  the  great  theme  which  seemed  more 
and  more  to  fill  his  mind,  and  which  he  deemed  so  important 
to  Christian  workers  as  hardly  to  be  omitted  without  recognition 
upon  all  occasions — dependence  upon  the  Holy  Ghost. 

*  *  *  "The  people  heard  Seneca,  excellent  man  as  he  was;  they  heard 
Seneca  and  the  excellent  truths  he  spoke,  and  deteriorated  in  their  morals — 
they  got  worse  and  worse.  The  world  has  been  listening  to  the  teachings 


PROPAGANDISM.  371 

of  Jesus — listening  during  all  these  centuries ;  and,  as  these  gentlemen  will 
bear  me  witness,  the  world  has  been  getting  better  and  better  in  consequence 
of  these  truths. 

"  Mr.  President,  I  know  of  no  satisfactory  answer  that  can  be  supplied 
except  that  our  Christianity  has  the  Holy  Ghost  in  it.  It  has  the  Word ; 
it  has  the  truth  which  gives  light ;  but  it  has  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  that 
gives  life.  And  what  we  want  is  Life ;  for  the  world  is  dead,  terribly  dead, 
in  trespasses  and  sins.  In  illustration  of  what  I  mean  :  I  take  it  that  there 
is  not  an  individual  in  any  of  these  galleries  or  under  the  sound  of  my  voice, 
not  one  but  is  familiar  with  that  fundamental  truth,  'Thou  shalt  love  the 
Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart  and  soul  and  mind  and  strength.'  We  all 
hold  that  now ;  but  how  many  of  this  vast  audience  really  do  love  God  '  with 
all  their  heart  and  soul  and  mind  and  strength  ?'  Perhaps,  if  appealed  to 
personally  or  privately,  many  would  say  we  have  not  the  disposition  ;  some 
would  confess  that  they  were  lacking  in  the  ability.  Now,  mark,  they  have 
the  truth ;  they  have  it  all  their  lives  long ;  but  yet  they  do  not  love  God 
with  all  their  hearts.  What  then  ?  Let  these  come  to  God ;  let  them  ask  for 
the  ability ;  let  them  ask  in  the  name  of  Christ  and  Him  crucified ;  let  them 
plead  with  a  humble  reliance  upon  God's  strength^  His  strength ;  this  is 
leading  men  in  Christ  Jesus.  In  answer  to  their  prayer  the  Holy  Ghost 
shall  be  given,  and  then  they  will  not  only  know  to  love  God,  as  they  have 
during  all  these  years,  but  they  will  love  God  with  all  their  heart  It  will 
not  only  be  a  fact  in  their  minds,  but  it  will  be  an  experience  in  their  hearts  ; 
it  will  be  a  power,  a  blessed  saving  power  in  their  lives. 

"This,  sir,  I  feel  is  just  what  our  associations  and  churches  and  com- 
munities are  now  so  much  needing.  We  need  this  divine  power,  this  super- 
natural power ;  it  is  necessary  to  accompany  and  apply  the  truth  to  the 
minds  and  hearts  of  those  with  whom  we  have  to  do.  *  *  * 

"  In  trying  to  do  good  in  the  world,  the  Infinite  One  fills  us,  inspires  us, 
emboldens  us,  ennobles  us,  saves  us,  blesses  us,  makes  us  strong  in  nature 
and  in  the  power  of  His  might.  Oh  !  does  not  this  quiet,  thoughtful,  attent- 
ive audience  see  the  point  I  would  make  ?  Entirely  consecrated  to  the  serv- 
ice, and  then  filled  with  God  !  A  co-worker  with  Omnipotence  !  I  challenge 
the  world  to  supply  a  more  sublime  ideal  of  character,  of  experience,  of 
life !" 

To  Mr.  W.  W.  Cookman,  of  Philadelphia : 

"  WILMINGTON,  DEL.,  December  7, 1869. 

"  We  have  just  received  Mary's  note,  acquainting  us  with  your  indisposi- 
tion. The  first  prompting  was  to  cast  aside  every  thing  and  hasten  to  your 


372  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

home.  This,  however,  is  a  busy  day  with  me,  and  all  the  more  busy  because 
I  have  just  returned  from  Baltimore,  where  I  have  been  rendering  some 
little  service.  Be  assured,  dear  Will,  of  our  deepest  sympathy  with  you  in 
your  affliction.  We  would  be  submissive  to  all  the  divine  arrangements, 
but,  indeed,  it  gives  us  real  pain  to  think  that  you  are  confined  to  your  bed, 
a  subject  "of  suffering.  You  know  we  would  do  any  thing  in  the  world  to 
serve  or  help  you — for  you  are  a  very  precious  brother  to  me.  I  love  you 
with  a  deep,  true  love,  that  grows  stronger  day  by  day.  In  this  trial  you  will 
learn  a  lesson  of  patient  endurance  and  quiet  submission.  Our  Father,  the 
God  of  the  fatherless,  carries  you  in  His  arms,  and  most  probably  never 
loved  you  so  much  as  now ;  for  He  has  the  tenderest  sympathy  and  deepest 
affection  for  His  suffering  children.  We  will  not  forget  to  commend  you  in 
earnest  and  frequent  prayer  to  His  providential  care  and  fatherly  love.  We 
shall  hope  to  see  you  on  Friday.  Keep  up  your  spirits,  trust  implicitly  in 
God,  and  all  will  be  well.  Love  for  Mary,  kisses  for  the  children." 

To  Mr.  W.  W.  Cookman  : 

"  WILMINGTON,  December  30, 1869. 

"  It  was  very  neglectful  in  me  to  allow  so  many  days  to  elapse  before 
acknowledging  your  brotherly  generosity — but  for  a  week  now  we  have  been 
a  very  excited  family.  The  Sabbath  with  its  duties  followed  Christmas  very 
closely.  This  over,  the  next  thing  was  a  golden  wedding  at  Mr.  Cause's,  in 
which,  as  the  pastor  of  the  family,  I  was  expected  to  take  a  part.  We  received 
first  the  barrel  of  flour,  and  afterward  the  children's  presents,  for  all  of 
which  we  were  deeply  and  tenderly  thankful.  May  our  Heavenly  Father 
reward  you  a  thousand-fold  for  your  considerate  and  most  acceptable  kind- 
ness. The  Christmas  season  has  been  full  of  joy  in  our  domestic  life.  The 
return  of  our  children,  their  generally  good  health,  their  gratification  with 
their  presents,  their  jubilant  spirits,  all  have  conspired  to  make  it  an  unusu- 
ally happy  time.  I  have  fared  better  than  for  many  years.  A  couple  of 
gentlemen  presented  me  with  a  suit  of  clothes,  our  young  men  with  an  over- 
coat, the  ladies  with  a  nice  cashmere  wrapper,  and  another  gentleman  with 
a  new  hat.  All  these  articles  were  just  what  I  really  needed,  and,  of  course, 
were  most  acceptable.  '  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  His 
benefits.'  We  think  a  great  deal  about  you  during  your  affliction,  and  every 
day  very  carefully  commend  you  to  God  in  earnest  prayer.  We  trust  that 
the  means  used  may  be  specially  and  speedily  blessed,  so  that  you  may  be 
able  to  take  your  place  again  in  life's  busy  arena.  Meanwhile  get  out  of  this 
dispensation  all  the  spiritual  wealth  that  may  be  extracted  from  it ;  remem- 
bering that,  after  all,  the  spiritual  is  as  much  better  than  the  material  as  the 


CHRISTMAS   JOYS. — A   JUST   TRIBUTE.  373 

soul  is  of  more  consequence  than  its  frail,  fleshly  home.     God  bless  you  and 
yours." 

The  Christmas  festival  was  a  delight  to  Mr.  Cookman,  and 
was  always  appropriately  observed  by  suitable  religious  and  so- 
cial exercises.  His  house,  with  its  interchange  of  gifts  and  sal- 
utations, was  a  scene  of  cheerful  gayety.  With  his  own  children 
and  the  children  of  the  Sunday-school  he  mingled  freely,  re- 
minding them  by  his  innocent  mirthfulness  th"at  the  religion 
which  Jesus  was  born  to  establish  is  fitted  to  make  every  body 
happy.  The  enthusiastic  and  tasteful  celebrations  of  the  sea- 
son on  its  annual  returns  while  he  was  at  Grace  Church  were 
among  the  pleasantest  occurrences  of  his  pastorate,  and  can  not 
be  soon  blotted  from  the  memories  of  his  young  parishioners. 

In  March,  1870,  Mr.  Cookman  was  re-appointed  for  the  third 
year  to  Grace  Church. 

His  delicate  tact  and  tender  thoughtfulness  as  a  pastor  were 
happily  illustrated  quite  early  in  the  year  in  connection  with 
the  last  illness  of  one  of  the  devout  ladies  of  his  Church,  Mrs. 
Bates,  the  wife  of  Chancellor  Bates.  Mr.  Bates's  note,  accom- 
panying the  letters  written  by  Mr.  Cookman  to  Mrs.  Bates,  af- 
ford the  best  explanation  of  the  case,  and  also  offer  a  very  just 
tribute  to  the  worth  of  the  faithful  pastor. 

D.  M.  Bates,  Esq.,  of  Wilmington,  Delaware,  to  the  Rev.  J.  E. 
Cookman : 

"The  letter,  of  which  the  inclosed  is  a  copy,  was  written  by  Mr.  Cookman 
to  Mrs.  Bates  during  her  last  illness,  at  a  period  when  a  failure  of  voice  pre- 
cluded her  from  conversation  with  friends — hence  the  occasion  for  his  giv- 
ing her  pastoral  advice  and  sympathy  by  letter.  It  was  most  gratefully  ap- 
preciated by  her,  and  often  read  with  expressions  of  great  pleasure,  and  with 
much  consolation  and  help  under  her  feebleness.  She  held  him  in  affec- 
tionate confidence  and  regard,  and  cordially  received  and  rested  upon  his 
counsels — and  this  letter,  together  with  a  subsequent  one  written  from  New 
England,  of  which  also  a  copy  is  inclosed  with  this,  did  much  toward  inspiring 
her  with  a  more  cheerful  and  resigned  spirit  under  her  declining  strength.  It 
is  a  beautiful  outflow  of  pastoral  affection,  breathing  the  very  spirit  of  Christ 


374  LIFE   OF    ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

himself,  and  containing  sentiments  worthy  to  be  written  in  letters  of  gold. 
It  is  a  memorial  of  both  the  departed  far  more  precious  than  rubies." 

To  Mrs.  D.  M.  Bates,  of  Wilmington : 

"  WILMINGTON,  May  31, 1870. 

"  You  must  not  think  that  we  have  forgotten  you  in  your  affliction.  A 
hundred  times  you  have  been  in  our  thoughts,  and  very  frequently,  if  it  had 
been  deemed  practicable  or  best,  we  would  have  offered  you  in  person  the 
sympathy  of  a  pastor's  heart.  It  has  occurred  to  me  that  a  message  of  love 
through  this  medium  might  not  be  unwelcome,  and  hence  I  take  a  moment 
to  communicate  that  there  are  some  hearts  outside  of  your  happy  home  that 
are  concerned  for  your  welfare,  and  that  do  not  fail  or  forget  to  present  you 
in  your  feebleness  to  that  Father  who  does  not  willingly  afflict  any  of  his 
dear  children.  The  dispensation  that  withdraws  you  from  the  active  duties 
of  domestic  life  is  profoundly  mysterious.  We  will  not  presumptuously 
venture  an  explanation  of  this  providence.  At  the  same  time,  you  will  be 
comforted  by  the  remembrance  that  our  Father,  if  inscrutable,  is  never  wrong. 
Clouds  frequently  cover  His  ways,  but  there  is  light  on  the  other  side  of  the 
cloud — light  to  reveal  the  fact  of  mystery — light  with  which  we  may  meet 
the  obligations  and  trials  of  the  passing  hour.  We  must  '  trust  where  we 
can  not  trace,'  and  remember  that  while  living  the  life  of  faith  we  are  mov- 
ing as  safely  as  though  we  understood  every  thing.  '  He  that  dwelleth  in 
the  secret  place  of  the  Most  High  shall  abide  under  the  shadow  of  the  Al- 
mighty.' 

"  May  I  affectionately  counsel  that,  with  an  implicit  and  steady  reliance 
upon  Jesus  for  the  help  of  the  Almighty  Spirit,  you  accept  all  the  will  of  God 
moment  by  moment — aye,  take  that  will  into  your  heart,  and  love  it  better 
than  all  beside ;  for  the  difference  between  the  unsaved  and  the  fully  saved 
is  that  while  the  former  find  the  will  of  God  without  them,  and  are  obliged  to 
submit  to  what  they  can  not  change,  the  latter  find  that  same  will  within 
them,  and  very  cheerfully  submit  to  what  they  would  not  change. 

"  Let  this  season  of  affliction  be  an  epochal  time  in  your  earthly  history — 
constituted  such  not  only  by  a  fuller,  but  by  the  fullest  submission  of  your- 
self and  family  and  all  to  the  infinitely  excellent  will  of  your  Father  in 
Heaven.  You  may  safely  trust  that  will,  for  it  is  never  arbitrary,  never 
wrong.  It  is  always  the  expression  of  divine  wisdom  and  love. 

"  As  you  sometimes  indulge  in  prospective  vision,  say  that  all  the  rest  of 
your  life  shall  be,  in  the  fullest  and  strictest  sense,  a  consecrated  life — a  life 
hid  with  Christ  in  God — a  life  blessed  in  its  experiences  and  in  its  results, 
concerning  itself  principally  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  those  around  you, 


A    BREATH   OF   LOVE   FOR   THE   SICK-ROOM.  375 

and  linking  itself  with  the  glory  and  triumph  of  the  eternal  future.  Take 
this  opportunity  that  the  providence  of  God  gives  to  write  on  all  you  have 
and  are  and  hope  for, '  Sacred  to  Jesus,'  and  spend  the  rest  of  your  life  in 
steadily  '  Looking  only  unto  Jesus.'  These  two  sentences  may  be  profitable 
mottoes  for  every  useful  and  glorious  life. 

"  Excuse  the  liberty  I  thus  take  in  writing  to  you.  My  note  may  be  a 
word  in  season.  In  any  case,  it  will  furnish  assurance  that  you  are  remem- 
bered with  sympathy  and  love  and  prayer  by  your  tenderly  attached  pastor." 

To  Mrs.  D.  M.  Bates : 

"  HAMILTON  CAMP-GROUND,  MASSACHUSETTS,  June  29, 1870. 

"  You  will  be  surprised  perhaps  to  receive  this  letter,  but  it  will  at  least 
indicate  that,  although  far  away,  still  you  are  remembered  by  your  affection- 
ate pastor ;  and  not  only  have  you  a  place  in  my  thoughts,  but  also  in  my 
prayers.  Many  times  in  this  consecrated  forest  I  have  been  reminded  of 
you  in  your  feebleness,  and  lifted  up  my  soul  to  God  that  He  would  be  with 
you  and  bless  you,  and  make  your  sickness  a  signal  and  glorious  passage  in 
your  earthly  history.  We  are  having  really  a  most  wonderful  time  at  our 
Hamilton  camp-m,eeting,  the  first  service  of  the  kind  I  have  ever  attended 
in  New  England.  The  attendance  is  from  all  the  surrounding  states,  and 
the  interest  and  divine  power  exceed,  I  think,  any  thing  I  have  ever  wit- 
nessed. Hundreds  of  ministers  and  people  are  concerned  to  enjoy  their  full 
privilege  in  the  Gospel.  The  community  in  this  section  is  generally  more 
intellectual  and  less  demonstrative  than  that  in  the  Middle  and  Southern 
States.  They  can  and  do  meet  mind  with  mind,  but  that  still  leaves  the 
heart  untouched.  They  want  Holy  Ghost  power,  and,  asking,  God  is  glori- 
ously giving  it  to  them.  Unless  I  am  greatly  mistaken,  the  effects  of  this 
extraordinary  meeting  will  be  far-reaching  and  most  blessed.  Oh  !  my  dear 
sister,  I  do  so  much  wish  that  your  kind  heart  and  whole  being  shall  be  en- 
tirely filled  with  God,  submitting  to  His  will  in  every  particular,  and  tasting 
the  joy  of  perfect  love.  Let  us  be  altogether  and  eternally  the  Lord's. 

"  I  thought  that  a  breath  of  love  from  New  England  might  bring  a  mo- 
ment's refreshment  to  you  in  your  sick-room.  Give  my  tenderest  love  to 
the  Judge,  and  to  your  sons  and  daughters." 

Mr.  Cookman's  judgment  in  dealing  with  the  sick  was  proved 
not  alone  in  the  feminine  gentleness  with  which  he  could  antic- 
ipate the  needs  of  the  cultured  pious  lady,  but  also  in  the  force 
and  skill  with  which -he  would  approach  the  hardened  and  im- 
penitent man.  When  he  was  stationed  at  Trinity,  New  York, 


376  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

a  gentleman  called  upon  him  and  requested  him  to  visit  a  son, 
who  was  ill.  The  young  man  had  been  very  wayward,  was 
still  obdurate,  and  refused  all  religious  counsel  and  prayer. 
Mr.  Cookman  went,  but  the  young  man  declined  conversation 
— wished  to  have  nothing  to  do  with  him ;  but  instead  of  in- 
sisting, he  immediately  withdrew,  with  the  quiet,  loving  remark, 
"  Well,  my  friend,  you  may  refuse  to  let  me  talk  and  pray  with 
you,  but  you  can  not  prevent  my  praying  far  you."  This  kind 
word  had  its  desired  effect.  He  called  again  very  soon  to  in- 
quire for  the  invalid,  and,  to  the  surprise  of  all,  was  welcomed 
by  him  and  invited  to  pray.  The  visits  were  repeated  until  the 
young  man  professed  to  be  converted,  and  died  confessing  his 
faith  in  Christ. 

From  the  last  letter  it  will  be  seen  that  Mr.  Cookman  had 
already,  thus  early  in  the  summer,  entered  upon  his  yearly 
camp-meeting  tour. 

The  National  Association  had  determined  upon  three  camp- 
meetings  for  the  year  1870 — the  first  at  Hamilton,  Massachu- 
setts, June  2ist;  the  second  at  Oakington,  Maryland,  June 
i2th;  and  the  third  at  Desplaines,  Illinois,  August  gth — all  of 
which  Mr.  Cookman  attended,  preaching  at  them  all,  and  labor- 
ing with  the  untiring  zeal  which  had  heretofore  characterized 
him. 

His  impressions  at  the  Hamilton  meeting  have  been  already 
partially  presented.  At  the  meeting  alluded  to  in  this  letter  he 
is  reported  to  have  said,  "How  I  joy  in  that  divine  declaration, 
'  Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my  name,  that  will  I  do,  that  the 
Father  may  be  glorified  in  the  Son.'  This  has  been  the  very 
best  Sabbath-day  of  all  my  earthly  Sabbaths.  An  isolation 
from  the  world  in  the  sense  of  non-conformity  is  the  secret  of 
spiritual  power.  I  am  able  and  I  am  willing  to  be  a  witness — 
and  if  alone,  I  would  hold  up  this  banner."  The  Sunday-even- 
ing service  was  assigned  to  him,  but,  instead  of  preaching,  he 
narrated  his  experience. 


HAMILTON  AND   OAKINGTON   CAMP-MEETINGS.  377 

I  give  a  letter  from  this  place  to  his  wife : 

"  HAMILTON  CAMP-GROUND,  Monday. 

"  On  Saturday  I  dropped  you  a  few  lines,  acquainting  you  with  my  unin- 
terrupted journey  to  and  safe  arrival  at  this  place.  When  I  wrote  the 
weather  was  insufferably  warm  ;  I  scarcely  ever  experienced  any  thing  equal 
to  it  The  same  night,  however,  it  stormed,  the  wind  veering  around  to  the 
east,  and  giving  us  a  rainy  Sabbath.  The  services,  consequently,  were  held  in 
our  new  tabernacle.  It  was  a  wonderful  Sabbath,  certainly  the  best  of  any  we 
have  spent  in  the  woods  as  a  National  Committee.  Brother  Wells  preached 
in  the  morning  on  consecration,  Brother  Boole  in  the  afternoon  on  the  spir- 
itual life  of  the  Church  ;  in  the  evening  I  had  charge  of  the  services,  not 
preaching,  but  exhorting  and  directing  the  prayer-meeting.  The  friends  are 
expecting  a  sermon  from  me  to-morrow.  From  the  love-feast  in  the  morn- 
ing until  the  closing  service  at  night,  it  was  extraordinary.  This  meeting,  in 
its  interest  and  power,  is  a  great  success.  The  brethren  feel  that  in  its  im- 
pressiveness  and  holy  influence  it  is  equal  to  or  ahead  of  Round  Lake. 
There  are  very  few  from  the  large  cities  of  Philadelphia,  New  York,  or 
Boston.  A  large  proportion  of  the  people  seem  to  be  from  Maine.  Scores 
and  hundreds  are  coming  into  the  liberty  of  full  salvation.  Mrs.  Wright  is 
here,  concerned  to  do  her  part.  I  am  so  interrupted  in  writing  that  it  is 
difficult  to  proceed — tent  full  of  brethren.  I  hold  you  constantly  before 
God." 

The  camp-meeting  at  Oakington,  July  i2th,  near  Havre  de 
Grace,  Maryland,  was  very  numerously  attended.  At  one  of 
the  earlier  prayer-meetings  Mr.  Cookman,  addressing  the 
friends,  spoke  in  substance  as  follows : 

"  We  desire  for  your  own  sake,  for  the  sake  of  your  comfort,  usefulness, 
but  especially  for  Jesus'  sake — we  desire  for  you  a  rich,  round,  full,  abiding, 
blessed  religious  experience  and  life.  Oh,  how  gladly  and  thankfully  we 
would  help  you  this  morning  if  we  could  !  But  we  are  reminded  that  there  is 
a  better  Leader,  a  better  Teacher,  even  the  Holy  Ghost.  He  guides  into 
all  truth.  He  takes  of  the  things  of  Christ,  the  truth  of  Christ,  the  power 
of  Christ,  the  blood  of  Christ,  the  grace  of  Christ,  and  shows  them  unto 
us.  Let  us  put  ourselves  under  His  divine  tuition.  Blessed  Spirit,  Third 
Person  of  the  adorable  Trinity,  proceeding  from  the  Father  and  the  Son, 
we  acknowledge  Thee,  we  worship  Thee,  we  praise  Thee,  we  love  Thee,  we 
seek  fellowship  with  Thee,  we  want  to  be  filled  this  day,  and  every  day, 
and  constantly,  with  all  this  fullness.  Oh,  hear  our  prayer  in  this  morning 


378  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

service  !  Come  and  direct  our  thoughts  ;  come  and  quicken  our  desires ; 
come  and  help  our  faith ;  come  and  enable  us  in  all  the  services  this  day  to 
sing— 

" '  Come,  Holy  Ghost,  for  Thee  we  call ; 
Spirit  of  power  and  blessing,  come.' " 

The  correspondent  of  The  Methodist*  writing  from  Oaking- 
ton,  evidently  in  the  counsels  of  the  National  Committee,  vin- 
dicates their  course  in  declining  to  invite  ministers  to  preach 
who  differed  with  them  on  the  doctrine  of  entire  sanctification. 
There  is  scarcely  one  point  in  the  conduct  of  the  committee 
which  had  up  to  this  time  subjected  them  to  so  much  criti- 
cism. With  the  explanation  given,  their  decision  in  the  matter 
seems  sufficiently  reasonable ;  especially  as  it  was  not  meant  to 
exclude  ministers  from  preaching  at  their  camp-meetings  upon 
grounds  of  merely  technical,  but  of  radical,  differences  of  opin- 
ion on  the  subject  of  holiness  : 

"  The  sermons  were  all  of  interest,  and  all  bearing  upon  the  one  theme  to 
be  kept  prominently  in  view  during  this  meeting.  The  rule  adopted  by  the 
committee  in  former  meetings  was  duly  observed  here — namely,  to  call  to 
the  stand  to  preach  only  such  ministers  as  are  clear  in  their  views  and  ex- 
perience of  the  grace  of  Christian  perfection  ;  they  feel  more  than  ever  the 
responsibility  of  abiding  by  this  rule,  since,  as  was  stated  in  The  Northern 
Christian  Advocate,  they  are  singly  and  severely  responsible  to  the  world 
and  the  Church  that  nothing  that  is  presented  at  these  meetings  shall  be 
anti-Scriptural  or  anti-Methodistical.  With  this  responsibility  upon  them, 
they  do  well  to  retain  entire  supervision  of  every  meeting  held  upon  the 
ground.  With  this  watchful  supervision,  there  is  no  danger  to  be  appre- 
hended that  any  new  doctrine  will  be  introduced  or  any  schism  occur. 
Nothing  here  presented  will  have  any  tendency  to  divide  the  Church.  The 
key-note  is  harmony,  love,  and  union.  They  set  up  no  tests,  but  ask  only 
for  purity  of  heart,  and  a  confession  of  the  saving  power  of  the  blood  of 
Jesus.  There  is  no  radicalism  but  the  radicalism  of  love ;  and  no  visions 
or  new  revelations  or  prophecies ;  but  earnest,  heart -searching,  sin-subdu- 
ing, soul-invigorating  power.  These  men  fight  with  the  old  guns  of  Meth- 
odism, and  seek  only  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  fire." 

*  July  30,  1870. 


DESPLAINES. — FULL   OF   WORK.  379 

So  general  was  the  attendance  at  this  meeting,  that, 

"  When  the  roll  of  the  states  was  called,  representatives  answered  from 
all  the  states  and  territories  but  three.  An  Indian  from  Northern  Michi- 
gan, and  ministers  recently  from  India,  China,  Australia,  Canada,  England, 
Germany,  Ireland,  and  our  territories  in  the  far  West,  testified  of  the  tri- 
umphs of  religion  in  their  localities." 

To  accommodate  the  numerous  friends  of  the  national  move- 
ment in  the  West,  a  camp-meeting  was  also  held  at  Desplaines, 
Illinois,  near  Chicago,  on  the  glh  of  August.  A  correspondent 
writing  of  it,  said  : 

"  Sunday  was  a  great  day.  The  prayer-meeting  at  five  o'clock — largely 
attended — was  led  by  Rev.  A.  Cookman.  At  eight  the  love-feast  was  held ; 
Rev.  L.  R.  Dunn  presided.  Nearly  three  hundred  gave  in  their  testimonies. 
The  people  represented  not  only  the  Eastern,  Western,  Middle,  and  South- 
ern States  of  our  own  country,  but  England,  Ireland,  Germany,  Wales,  Rus- 
sia, Africa,  Canada,  Sweden,  and  the  Argentine  Republic.  Many  of  these 
testimonies,  though  brief,  were  truly  thrilling,  both  in  word  and  spirit.  As 
an  example  :  A  colored  man  from  Canada  said,  '  Forty  years  ago  my  soul 
was  set  at  liberty,  even  before  my  body  was  emancipated.' " 

Amid  all  the  duties  and  excitements  of  the  meeting,  Mr. 
Cookman  found  time  for  correspondence. 
To  his  wife : 

"  DESPLAINES  CAMP-GROUND,  Saturday  morning, ) 
Summer  of  1870.      ) 

"  It  is  really  very  difficult  to  find  time  for  correspondence  even  with  my 
precious  Annie.  Meetings  begin  at  five  A.M.  and  continue  until  bed-time. 
These,  with  meals  and  conversation,  occupy  almost  every  moment.  Your 
kind  letter  came  to  hand  yesterday.  It  was  most  refreshing  to  hear  from 
home.  God  be  praised  for  His  goodness  to  my  loved  ones.  Yesterday  the 
morning  sermon  fell  to  my  lot.  We  had  a  cool  hour,  a  large  congregation, 
and  our  kind  Heavenly  Father  allowed  me  a  most  comfortable  time.  I 
might  write  many  kind  things  that  were  said  of  the  discourse,  but  this  you 
know  is  not  my  taste  or  style.  Just  at  the  close  of  my  sermon  I  invited 
brethren  of  the  ministry  and  laity  to  gather  in  the  altar.  Brother  Matlack, 
of  New  Orleans,  preached  in  the  afternoon  a  very  tender  sermon — Brother 
Welling  in  the  evening,  and  Brother  McDonald  this  mcrning.  The  meet- 
ing is  wonderful — wonderful — wonderful. 


380  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  Such  unanimity,  earnestness,  and  divine  power  have  scarcely  been  par- 
alleled at  any  of  our  previous  meetings.  Yesterday  was  one  of  the  best 
days  I  ever  spent  in  a  consecrated  forest.  An  influence  seemed  to  pervade 
the  encampment  that  got  hold  of  every  body — the  best  men  both  of  the  min- 
istry and  laity.  Last  night  it  was  very  cold,  cold  enough  for  October ;  dur- 
ing the  night  it  began  to  rain,  and  to-day  the  rain  continues,  driving  us  all 
to  the  tabernacle.  We  are  most  pleasantly  situated  in  our  forest  cottage, 
and  our  boarding  arrangements  are  most  excellent — first-rate  table  and  most 
attentive  waiters.  God  is  very  good  to  me.  He  fills  my  soul  and  gracious- 
ly helps  me  in  my  humble  efforts  to  do  His  holy  will.  To-morrow,  Sabbath, 
Brother  Inskip  preaches  in  the  morning  and  Brother  Boole  in  the  afternoon. 
General  meeting  for  night.  God  bless  you,  Annie,  and  my  dear  children. 
Love  to  the  boys  and  all  friends." 

To  his  wife : 

"DESPLAINES,  August  15, 1870. 

"  I  have  the  opportunity  of  sending  a  letter  direct  to  Philadelphia  by  the 
hand  of  Brother  Wallace.  My  last,  I  believe,  was  written  on  Saturday  even- 
ing. That  was  a  damp,  cold  day.  All  the  services  were  in  the  tabernacle. 
Sabbath  opened  with  a  cool  atmosphere  but  a  cloudless  sky.  It  devolved 
upon  me  to  lead  the  five  o'clock  prayer-meeting  in  the  morning.  It  was 
blessed  indeed.  At  eight  we  had  the  love-feast,  one  of  my  very  best.  At  half- 
past  ten  Brother  Inskip  preached  well — unusually  well.  At  half-past  two 
P.M.  Dr.  Reed,  editor  of  The  Northwestern  Christian  Advocate,  preached. 
At  the  close  of  the  sermon  believers  were  rallied,  and  a  general  charge  made 
on  the  unconverted.  The  altar  was  crowded  with  penitents,  and  some  thirty- 
five  were  converted  in  less  than  an  hour.  In  the  evening,  as  usual,  Broth- 
er Alfred  had  to  head  the  column.  God  helped  me  as  much,  perhaps,  as 
ever  in  my  life,  and  I  trust  great  good  was  done.  The  whole  ground  seem- 
ed to  be  a  great  altar,  sinners  and  unbelievers  both  down  before  God.  We 
all  think  it  was  the  best  Sabbath  of  any  of  our  National  camp-meetings. 
Glory  to  the  Lamb !  The  weather  is  very  cool.  My  shawl  is  a  decided 
necessity.  I  begin  to  realize  a  sense  of  great  weakness,  and  will  have  to  be 
careful  lest  I  contract  the  chills  and  fever.  Willing  to  work,  and  obliged 
to  remain  till  the  last  moment,  still  I  will  be  glad  to  turn  my  face  home- 
ward, and  sit  down  again  amid  the  quiet  comforts  of  No.  813  West  Street. 

"  To-day  there  seems  to  be  a  little  reaction  from  yesterday — nevertheless, 
the  meetings  have  been  very  profitable.  To-night  God  is  present  in  great 
power.  The  great  West  answers  to  the  East,  and  shouts,  Holiness  to  the 
Lord.  But  I  must  close.  The  people  are  very  kind — some  of  them  think 


USEFULNESS   AT   DESPLAINES.  381 

they  must  have  me  in  the  Northwest  Give  my  love  to  the  dear  boys — let 
this  take  the  form  of  a  sweet  kiss  from  their  dear  ma.  The  baby  boy,  of 
course,  will  not  be  forgotten.  I  received  to-day  your  second  letter.  It  was 
a  hundred  thousand  times  welcome.  Take  good  care  of  yourself." 

To  Mrs.  Bishop  Hamline  : 

"  DESPLAINES,  August  19, 1870. 

"  We  have  been  wonderfully  favored  at  Desplaines — the  weather,  the  con- 
gregations, the  presence  of  a  large  number  of  ministers,  the  sustained  and 
increasing  interest,  the  loving  spirit  of  the  people,  and  especially  the  pres- 
ence and  power  of  the  Divinity — all,  all  call  for  songs  of  loudest  praise. 
Your  prayers  have  been  signally  answered.  This  is  beyond  all  question 
the  best  of  our  series  of  National  camp-meetings.  Your  friends,  of  course, 
will  supply  all  the  details.  My  own  soul  has  been  wonderfully  strengthened 
and  helped. 

"  God  bless  you  abundantly,  my  precious  sister.  I  have  written  this  in 
the  midst  of  camp-meeting  duties  and  excitements.  It  is  not  a  thousandth 
part  of  what  is  in  my  heart  to  say.  Pray  for  me,  and  believe  me  your  de- 
votedly attached  son  in  the  Gospel." 

Some  estimate  of  Mr.  Cookman's  ministrations  at  this  meet- 
ing may  be  formed  from  one  or  two  facts  communicated  by 
John  Emory  Voak,  M.D.,  of  Bloomington,  111.,  who  was  present 
at  the  time  : 

"  While  attending  the  meeting,  having  known  Brother  Cookman,  I  took 
particular  pains  to  attend  all  his  ministrations  and  every  meeting  that  he 
led,  and  oh,  how  my  soul  fed  and  feasted  on  the  bread  of  life  as  dispensed 
by  him  ! 

"  I  never  shall  forget  his  sermon  on  the  theme,  '  Entire  sanctification.' 
Surely  the  Holy  Spirit  spoke  through  him  to  many  hearts,  and  won  them  to 
Christ  as  a  Saviour  to  the  uttermost 

"  I  wish  I  could  describe  one  of  the  most  glorious  meetings  I  ever  attend- 
ed, led  by  him.  After  answering  the  objection  often  urged  against  laboring 
for  the  promotion  of  holiness  (instead  of  the  conversion  of  sinners)  most 
beautifully,  he  gave  a  sketch  of  his  experience.  He  said  that  '  on  these 
hands,  these  feet,  these  lips  I  have  written,  Sacred  to  yents.''  After  his  en- 
larging on  that  beautiful  motto,  I  am  sure  many  in  that  meeting  of  preach- 
ers saw  entire  sanctification  as  a  more  comprehensive  and  sacred  work  than 
they  had  been  wont  to  view  it,  and  that  they  were  then  set  apart  as  never 
before. 


382  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  One  other  incident  which  can  not  be  described  occurred  at  the  last 
service  of  that  meeting.  The  time  had  come  when  we  must  part ;  all  Chris- 
tian hearts  were  solemn — some  were  sad — at  the  thought  of  leaving  that 
hallowed  ground.  The  leader  felt  he  could  not  dose  without  giving  one 
more  opportunity  for  sinners  to  come  to  Jesus,  and  for  Christians  to  plunge 
anew  into  the  fountain.  To  the  surprise  of  perhaps  every  one,  nearly  two 
hundred  arose  for  prayers.  That  scene  seemed  to  inspire  Brother  Cook- 
man,  and  he  offered  a  prayer  such  as  I  never  expect  to  hear  equaled.  The 
Holy  Ghost  made  intercession  in  his  soul  with  groanings  that  could  not  be 
uttered.  He  was  in  audience  with  Deity — aye,  more,  he  had  hold  on  God, 
and  it  literally  raised  him  from  his  knees.  I  never  heard  such  a  fervent, 
effectual  prayer,  and  it  prevailed,  as  many  will  testify  in  the  clay  of  judg- 
ment." 

This  communication,  together  with  Mr.  Cookman's  own  ac- 
count of  the  meeting,  affords  ample  evidence  that  he  never 
sought  the  entire  sanctification  of  believers  to  the  neglect  of 
"  calling  sinners  to  repentance." 

Besides  attending  the  National  camp-meetings,  Mr.  Cook- 
man  was  present  at  the  usual  number  of  local  camp-meetings 
through  the  summer,  and  performed  at  every  one  the  same  al- 
most superhuman  work.  He  could  allow  himself  no  respite, 
but  flew  like  a  herald  of  light  from  place  to  place.  Ennall's 
Springs,  Talbot  County,  Brandywine  Summit,  Camden  Union, 
Ocean  Grove,  and  possibly  others,  shared  his  ministrations. 

He  wrote  from  Ennall's  Springs  to  Mrs.  Cookman  : 

"  ENNALL'S,  Monday,  1870. 

"  Sabbath  is  over ;  it  was  a  bright,  beautiful,  blessed  day — the  atmosphere 
cool,  pure,  invigorating.  We  had  good  congregations.  I  preached  both 
morning  and  evening,  superintended  the  love-feast  and  two  prayer-meetings, 
and  at  half-past  ten  went  to  bed  pretty  well  worn  out  This  is  vacation ! 
Our  services  have  all  been  very  profitable,  the  prayer-meeting  last  night 
and  this  morning  especially.  There  are  a  good  many  hungry  souls  here, 
and  I  have  great  joy  in  inviting  and  leading  them  to  the  blessed  provisions 
of  the  Gospel.  There  are  many  tender,  loving  inquiries  respecting  your 
welfare.  You  would  have  met  a  most  affectionate  welcome  at  the  hands  of 

these  Dorchester  County  people.     Annie  T is  rather  sad,  occasioned 

by  the  change  in  her  circumstances  and  the  absence  of  her  dear  husband. 


SUCCESS  AT  ENNALL'S  SPRINGS  AND  MCNEILL'S  WOODS.  383 

Their  tent,  however,  is  just  as  attractive  in  its  social  circles  and  its  bounti- 
fully spread  table  as  ever. 

"  This  afternoon  we  leave  for  Easton.  Willie*  seems  to  be  very  happy. 
The  tables  suit  him.  He  has  a  wonderful  weakness  for  the  feathered  crea- 
tion— wings,  legs,  breast,  and  side-bones  quickly  disappear  before  his  vigorous 
assaults.  Thus  far  he  behaves  himself  beautifully — keeps  his  clothes  clean, 
and  acts  like  a  little  gentleman.  I  feel  proud  of  him.  My  own  soul  is 
strong  in  the  Lord.  I  feel  that  in  leading  up  the  Church  I  am  doing  God's 
will,  and  am  wonderfully  blessed.  The  blessed  Spirit  shines  upon  my  mind 
and  seems  to  give  efficiency  to  my  feeble  words.  Pray  for  me.  I  do  not 
forget  you.  Your  unwavering  love  has  not  failed  to  make  the  deepest  im- 
pression on  my  heart.  May  God  have  you  ever  in  His  special  care  and 
keeping." 

To  his  wife  : 

"McNEiLL's  WOODS. 

"  On  another  battle-field !  Arrived  here  last  night  about  eight  o'clock, 
after  a  four  hours'  ride  from  Ennall's.  Will  enjoyed  the  journey,  especially 
the  driving.  This  is  a  delightful  spot — a  larger  meeting  decidedly  than  the 
one  in  Dorchester.  Our  reception  was  most  enthusiastic.  This  morning  I 
led  the  eight  o'clock  meeting.  It  was  really  one  of  the  most  precious  and 
powerful  services  that  I  ever  enjoyed.  Brother  Quigg,  the  presiding  elder, 
preached  this  morning,  and  Brother  John  Field  this  afternoon.  The  meet- 
ings are  increasing  in  interest,  and  presage  victory.  President  Wilson  and 
wife  are  here — arrived  last  evening.  Will  finds  pleasant  companions,  and 
receives  a  great  deal  of  attention.  The  friends  here  insist  upon  my  staying 
until  Friday  morning.  They  think  that  the  interests  of  souls  and  the  Church 
are  involved.  I  shall  be  better  able  to  judge  to-morrow." 

*  The  fourth  son,  William  Wilberforce. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

GRACE   CHURCH. — THE   PENINSULA   CONVENTION. 

THE  Wilmington  Conference,  at  its  last  session  (1870),  had 
adopted  the  following  resolution : 

"Resolved,*  That  a  committee  of  eight — four  ministers  and  four  laymen 
— be  appointed  by  this  Conference  to  arrange  for  a  Peninsula  Methodist 
Convention,  to  consider  and  promote  our  denominational  interests,  said  Con- 
vention to  be  held  at  such  time  and  place  as  the  committee  may  deem  ad- 
visable." 

Mr.  Cookman  was  appointed  chairman  of  this  committee. 
Indeed,  "  the  conception  of  the  Convention,"  in  the  language 
of  one,  "  was  his.  He  was  the  presiding  genius  as  well  as  the 
moving  spirit."  At  the  call  of  the  committee  the  Convention 
assembled  at  Smyrna,  Delaware,  on  November  15,  1870,  and 
continued  for  three  days.  "  It  was  composed  of  the  resident 
Bishop,  Levi  Scott,  D.  D.,  the  superannuated,  supernumerary, 
and  traveling  preachers  of  the  Wilmington  Annual  Conference, 
with  two  lay  delegates  from  each  circuit  and  station  within  the 
limits  of  said  Conference."  Its  object  was  "  to  consolidate,  in- 
struct, and  inspire  one  Methodism  on  the  Peninsula."  Mr. 
Cookman. called  the  Convention  to  order,  and  the  Hon.  D.  M. 
Bates,  Chancellor  of  the  State,  was  elected  president,  with  eight 
vice-presidents. 

The  topics  discussed  were  :  The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
— its  active  and  relative  growth,  and  its  present  position  on  the 
Peninsula ;  Education — its  claims  upon  the  Church ;  Working 

*  Proceedings  of  the  Peninsula  Convention  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  held  at  Smyrna,  Delaware,  November  15,  1870.  S.  W.  Thomas, 
1018  Arch  Street,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 


WHITEFIELD   ON   THE    EASTERN    SHORE   OF   MARYLAND.   385 

Forces  of  the  Church — local  ministry,  women's  work,  young 
people's  associations,  etc. ;  Relation  of  the  Church  to  the  Moral 
Questions  of  the  Day — Bible,  Christian  Sabbath,  and  Temper- 
ance cause ;  Family  Religion  ;  The  Sabbath-school ;  and  The 
Spiritual  Life  of  the  Church.  These  themes  were  severally 
treated  in  one  or  more  written  papers  and  by  open  discussion. 
The  first  topic  elicited  many  valuable  facts  concerning  the  past 
and  present  status  of  Methodism  in  one  of  its  chosen  fields. 

The  Rev.  George  A.  Phoebus,  in  speaking  of  the  Fallen  He- 
roes of  Peninsula  Methodism,  said,  in  regard  to  its  early  origin  : 

"  Whitefield,  with  a  reputation  in  the  New  World  that  gathered  thou- 
sands around  him  wherever  and  whenever  he  preached,  we  have  every 
reason  to  believe,  as  early  as  1756,  perhaps  earlier,  had  disseminated  the 
doctrines  of  the  Oxford  'Holy  Club'  among  the  inhabitants  of  Bohemia 
Manor,  and  had  sowed  the  seeds  of  the  Gospel  Kingdom  in  the  hearts  of  the 
Bayards,  and  Bowchells,  or  perhaps  Voschells.  Here  Wright,  in  1771,  found 
'  in  a  certain  house  a  room  where  he  slept,  prayed,  and  studied,  that  is  still 
called  Whitefield's  room.' 

"  When  we  look,  therefore,  upon  the  class  that  encouraged  the  early  Wes- 
leyan  Methodist  itinerant  as  he  went  forth  in  the  work  of  his  Master,  we 
must  feel  that  it  is  due  to  the  memory  of  the  eloquent,  fiery,  commanding 
Whitefield,  as  the  first  hero  that  gathered  a  Methodist  band  on  the  Penin- 
sula, to  lay  at  his  feet  the  honor  of  having  first  enkindled  in  the  hearts  of 
our  fathers  the  fires  of  that  religious  revolution  that  was  awakening  the  fa- 
therland to  true  Christianity.  He  was  to  us  '  the  voice  of  one  crying  in  the 
wilderness,  Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,  make  His  paths  straight.' 

"  The  interest  awakened  by  Whitefield  did  not  die  out  before  the  appear- 
ance of  the  Wesleyan  missionary.  The  first  Wesleyan  Evangelists  not  only 
found  the  field  white  unto  the  harvest,  but  men  and  women  ready  to  be  em- 
ployed. The  long  interval  that  elapsed  often  between  the  appointments  of 
the  preachers,  the  range  of  their  work,  the  transitory  stay  that  they  made  in 
any  place,  were  not  calculated  to  give  permanence  to  their  instructions  unless 
there  were  found  some  like  those  already  mentioned  who  could  lead  the  newly 
converted  in  the  way  of  life.  The  incidents  in  proof  of  this  are  rare  but  valua- 
ble. In  addition  to  those  furnished,  we  give  the  following  from  the  life  of 
Benjamin  Abbott.  In  1 780  he  was  at  his  appointment  at  J.  Hersey's.  After 
the  sermon,  a  dear  old  lady  said  to  him, '  This  is  the  Gospel  trump ;  I  heard 
it  sounded  by  Mr.  Whitefield  twenty-five  years  ago.'  We  have  also,  in  the 

R 


386  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

recollection  of  Rev.  Joseph  Everett,  of  Queen  Anne  County,  Maryland,  a 
glimpse  of  the  activity  of  the  followers  of  Mr.  Whitefield.  As  early  as  1763, 
under  the  instructions  of  the  school  of  Whitefield,  he  was  convinced  of  sin, 
had  joined  their  society,  and  in  his  chamber,  on  his  knees,  sought  and  ob- 
tained redemption  in  the  blood  of  Christ,  even  the  forgiveness  of  sins.  Thus 
we  see  that  in  1770,  when  the  Gospel  of  the  Kingdom  was  presented  to  the 
people  by  Mr.  Wesley's  preachers,  there  were  to  be  found  some  who  had 
knowledge  of  the  way  of  salvation  by  faith.  Thus  it  appears  that  while  in 
England  the  controversy  was  raging  between  the  Calvinistic  and  Arminian 
Methodists,  the  converts  of  Whitefield  on  this  Peninsula  were  rising  up  to 
bear  witness  to  the  truth  of  the  Wesleyan  teachers  on  the  fundamental  doc- 
trines of  justification  by  faith,  the  witness  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  sanctification 
of  believers." 

Mr.  Phoebus,  after  showing  how  Wesleyan  Methodism  was 
kindled  from  these  sparks  by  Webb,  Strawbridge,  King,  and 
others,  referred  to  its  organization  by  Asbury : 

"Here  he  (Asbury)  met  Dr.  Coke  in  1784,  bearing  the  instructions  of 
Wesley  for  organizing  the  societies  into  a  systematic  whole — here  wUfe  as- 
sembled around  him,  eighty-six  years  ago  to-day  (November  14),  within 
twenty-five  miles  of  the  place  where  the  first  Peninsula  Convention  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  is  holding  its  session,  the  preachers  who  in 
informal  Convention  gave  birth  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  these 
United  States  of  America.  Here,  at  Barratt's  Chapel,  at  the  same  time, 
the  Methodists  in  this  country  first  partook  of  the  Holy  Sacrament,  the 
ordinance  being  administered  by  their  own  regularly  ordained  preachers. 
Brethren,  it  was  not  the  Peninsula,  not  time-honored  Barratt's  Chapel,  not 
the  preachers  assembled  in  quarterly  meeting,  not  Dr.  Coke,  vested  with 
Episcopal  authority,  but  that  dear  man  of  God,  Francis  Asbury,  whose  glory 
has  streamed  forth  from  the  radiance  of  that  hour,  and  mantles  us,  his  spir- 
itual descendants." 

The  Rev.  J.  B.  Quigg  presented  statistical  tables  showing  the 
gradual  increase  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  through 
successive  decades,  from  i  charge,  i  preacher,  and  150  mem- 
bers in  1774,  to  89  charges,  114  preachers,  and  24,734  members 
in  1870.  Adding  to  the  number  of  white  members  the  number 
of  colored  members,  for  some  time  counted  apart,  the  whole 
number  of  members  in  1870  was  34,530,  which  gave  to  the 


GROWTH   OF   PENINSULA   METHODISM.  387 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church  a  ratio  of  i  to  every  8.6  of  the 
total  population  (300,000)  of  the  entire  Peninsula. 

This  Peninsula  Mr.  Asbury  was  accustomed  to  call  his  gar- 
den for  Methodist  preachers.  It  still  retains  much  of  its  orig- 
inal Methodist  simplicity.  To  no  one  in  the  Convention  was 
this  statistical  exhibit  more  gratifying  than  to  Mr.  Cookman. 
On  no  field  outside  of  his  immediate  parish  work  had  he  spent 
so  much  energy  as  on  this ;  and  as  he  contemplated  the  status 
of  the  Church,  its  numerical,  social,  financial  capabilities,  his 
mind  was  impressed  with  a  sense  of  the  great  importance  of 
a  rebaptism  of  all  these  forces  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  for  the 
"  consolidation,  instruction,  and  inspiration  of  Peninsula  Meth- 
odism." 

It  was  therefore  just  to  his  taste  that  "The  Spiritual  Life  of 
the  Church"  was  assigned  as  his  theme.  I  give  the  essay 
which  he  read  entire,  as  containing  some  of  his  best  thoughts 
on  the  relation  of  holiness  to  the  Church  : 

"THE  SPIRITUAL  LIFE  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

"  The  visible  Church  of  Christ  is  a  congregation  of  faithful  men,  in  which 
the  pure  Word  of  God  is  preached  and  the  sacraments  duly  administered. 

"  It  stands  above  all  other  organizations  ;  the  repository  of  the  most  val- 
uable truth  ;  a  fountain  of  light  and  life  and  love,  a  blessing  to  the  world. 

"The  spiritual  life  of  this  Church,  that  is,  the  life  of  God  developing  in  the 
experience  of  its  individual  members,  is  its  highest  and  best  life — aye,  and 
because  of  the  important  relations  and  the  exalted  position  of  the  Church, 
it  is  the  best  life  of  the  world  ;  the  highest  to  which  the  race  at  large  can 
possibly  aspire.  It  links  itself  intimately  and  indissolubly  with  personal 
character,  social  order,  family  comfort,  national  prosperity,  and  our  world's 
complete  redemption. 

"  Now,  will  it  not  occur  to  any  observant  mind  that  this  spiritual  life,  like 
our  natural  life,  may  exist  in  various  stages  of  development  ? 

"  In  a  hospital,  for  illustration,  may  we  not  find  a  patient  paralyzed,  una- 
ble to  do  any  thing,  and  yet  life  flickering  in  its  socket  ?  May  we  not  find 
other  invalids,  feeble,  complaining,  scarcely  able  to  stand  up,  not  willing 
to  communicate,  knowing  little  of  the  joys  of  life,  and  yet  not  actually  dy- 
ing ?  It  may  be  they  have  brought  this  upon  themselves  as  the  consequence 


388  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

of  their  own  folly  or  neglect.  There  has  been  some  temptation,  compara- 
tively harmless  to  others,  but  injurious  to  them,  and  they  have  balanced  the 
gratification  it  has  afforded  them  against  the  fearful  results  that  have  devel- 
oped, and  so  they  have  carnally  and  culpably  clung  to  the  doubtful  indul- 
gence until  the  effect  is  as  we  see.  Ah,  brethren,  do  we  not  know  by  obser- 
vation, and  some  of  us  by  experience,  that  this  is  a  sad  picture  of  too  many 
who  profess  to  be  the  subjects  of  spiritual  life  ?  Through  neglect  or  failure 
or  folly,  or  doubtful  indulgence  or  partial  obedience,  their  religious  life  is 
feeble  and  sickly — some  trust,  but  more  of  distressing  doubt ;  some  hope, 
but  more  of  torturing  fear ;  some  joy,  but  more  of  spiritual  joylessness ;  lit- 
tle appetite  for  divine  things  ;  little  disposition  to  exercise  themselves  in 
matters  pertaining  to  godliness  ;  little  interest  in  those  means  and  measures 
that  are  intimately  related  to  the  salvation  of  the  race  and  the  glory  of  God. 

"  Oh,  how  different  from  that  spiritual  life  that  hungers  and  thirsts  after 
righteousness  ;  that  runs  in  the  way  of  obedience  ;  that  works,  and  rejoices 
to  work,  in  the  vineyard ;  that  fights,  aye,  and  endures  hardness  in  the  great 
battle  with  sin  and  Satan.  '  I  am  come,'  said  Christ, '  that  they  might  have 
life,  and  that  they  might  have  it  more  abundantly? 

"  Brethren,  ought  it  not  to  be  with  us  a  matter  of  congratulation  and 
thanksgiving  that  the  home  of  our  spiritual  nature  is  in  a  Church  that  has 
always  given  so  much  attention  to  the  development  of  the  spiritual  life  ? 
For,  observe,  while  some  of  the  other  denominations  have  arrayed  them- 
selves around  their  citadels  of  doctrine,  waging  occasionally  an  offensive, 
but  more  frequently  a  defensive  warfare,  Methodism,  adventuring  into 
the  field  of  the  wide,  wide  world,  has  employed  her  time  and  talents  and 
energies  in  the  culture  and  dissemination  of  spiritual  life.  Meanwhile  her 
fundamental  doctrines  have  remained  intact  and  unchanged,  proving  that 
orthodoxy  is  much  better  conserved  by  the  cultivation  of  the  spiritual  life, 
than  the  spiritual  life  is  promoted  by  an  elaborate  defense  of  orthodoxy. 
But,  more  than  this,  gaining  constant  accessions  of  this  best  life,  growing 
stronger  with  the  strength  that  the  Divinity  supplieth,  our  success,  as  a 
Christian  denomination,  has  been  almost  without  parallel  or  precedent. 
From  a  small  class  organized  in  the  city  of  New  York,  with  Philip  Embury 
as  the  leader,  the  Methodist  societies  have  grown  until  within  their  folds 
they  enroll,  upon  this  continent,  more  than  two  millions  of  members,  and 
directly  influence  some  seven  or  eight  millions  of  our  American  popula- 
tion. *  *  • 

"  Nearly  a  century  since,  Thomas  Coke,  Francis  Asbury,  Benjamin  Ab- 
bott, William  Walters,  Freeborn  Garrettson,  and  others,  whose  names  are 
as  ointment  poured  forth,  heralds  of  grace,  filled  with  apostolic  love  and 


ORIGINAL   SIMPLICITY  OF   PENINSULA   METHODISM.        389 

zeal  and  power,  visited  our  Peninsula,  unfurling  the  blood-stained  banner, 
and  preaching  a  salvation,  free,  full,  present,  conscious,  and  glorious.  Their 
word  was  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit — opposition  gave  way — prejudice 
vanished — hearts  were  opened — spiritual  life  was  accepted — and  now  for 
about  a  hundred  years  Methodism  has  had  a  home  upon  this  Peninsula, 
much  of  the  time  the  dominant  religious  denomination  of  the  region. 

"  As  we  overlook  the  field  to-day,  can  we  not  find  occasion  for  encourage- 
ment and  rejoicing  in  the  fact  that  the  spiritual  life  of  Methodism  all  through 
this  section  retains  very  much  of  its  original  simplicity  ?  We  still  hold  fast 
and  hold  up  the  old  distinctive  doctrines  of  salvation  for  all  through  the 
mediation  of  Christ — justification  by  faith  a  personal  necessity  and  a  present 
privilege — the  distinct  and  direct  witness  of  the  Holy  Spirit  with  our  spirit 
that  we  are  children  of  God — entire  sanctification,  through  the  blood  of 
Christ  and  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  made  available  by  an  exercise 
of  present  trust  in  Jesus.  We  still  retain,  appreciate,  and  enjoy  the  class- 
meeting,  the  love-feast,  the  watch-night  service,  the  quarterly-meeting,  the 
camp-meeting,  the  protracted-meeting — means  of  grace  that  were  originally 
the  gift  of  God's  providence,  and  which  our  fathers  found  to  be  so  valuable 
and  profitable.  While  in  some  other  sections  there  is  a  disposition  to  lay 
aside  or  treat  carelessly  some  of  the  old  weapons,  conforming  to  the  spirit 
of  an  extravagant  age  and  a  fashionable  world,  Methodism  on  the  Peninsula 
still  satisfies  herself  with  plain,  free-seated  churches ;  still  experiences  and 
shouts  the  joy  of  God's  salvation  ;  still  goes,  in  for  earnestness  of  expression 
and  of  operations ;  still  agrees  that  the  people  of  God  while  '  in,  must  not 
be  of  the  world,1  but  must  stand  separate  from  and  exalted  above  the  world's 
littleness  and  vanities  and  falsities ;  still  clings  to  and  would  battle  in  de- 
fense of  the  old  and  well-tried  landmarks. 

"  But  now,  while  we  offer  the  language  of  congratulation  and  commenda- 
tion, let  us,  still  continuing  our  observation,  ask,  Is  the  spiritual  life  of  our 
Church,  within  the  limits  of  the  Wilmington  Conference,  up  to  the  New 
Testament  standard  ?  Let  us  '  examine  ourselves.'  Instead  of  offering  God 
a  perfect  love,  do  we  not  yield  Him  a  partial  affection,  allowing  other  objects 
to  dispute  in  our  hearts  the  sovereignty  of  His  most  holy  and  excellent  will  ? 
Instead  of  brotherly  kindness,  is  there  not  in  our  intercourse  with  fellow- 
Christians  too  frequently  uncharitableness,  backbiting,  and  even  bitterness 
of  spirit  ?  Instead  of  self-denial  and  cross-bearing,  conditions  of  Christian 
discipleship,  is  there  not  an  acknowledged  avoidance  of  the  cross,  and  an  in- 
veterate disposition  to  self-pleasing  ?  Instead  of  a  liberal  spirit  and  system- 
atic beneficence,  is  there  not  an  absence  of  settled  principle  that  sometimes 
expresses  itself  in  the  language,  '  I  will  give  little  or  nothing,  just  as  I 


39°  LIFE   OF   ALFRED  COOKMAN. 

• 

please  ?'  Instead  of  simplicity  in  our  attire  and  in  our  styles  of  living,  so 
that  we  may  have  more  to  give  to  Christ's  blessed  work,  is  there  not  an 
aping  of  the  world's  fashions  and  follies,  a  conformity  that  we  know  is  prej- 
udicial to  a  deep  and  growing  spirituality  ?  Instead  of  -words  seasoned  with 
grace  and  tending  to  edification,  are  not  too  many  of  our  words  idle,  gossipy, 
unkind,  and  unprofitable  ?  Instead  of  a  burning  and  abiding  zeal  prompting 
to  steady  aggressions  upon  the  kingdom  of  sin  and  hell,  are  we  not  fitful  in 
our  efforts,  soon  wearying  in  well-doing  ? 

"These  pointed  inquiries  suggest  some  of  the  delinquencies  and  short- 
comings of  too  many  of  our  Church  members,  and  constrain  the  conclusion 
that  there  is  a  higher  spiritual  life  for  the  Church — a  life  whose  exercise  will 
reveal  in  personal  consciousness  to  the  believer,  and  present  to  the  world 
around  more  beautiful  and  valuable  fruit.  Now  the  question  arises,  What 
is  that  higher  and  better  life  ?  We  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  it  is  what 
in  Methodist  parlance  we  entitle  '  Entire  sanctification,'  implying  the  specific, 
intelligent,  complete,  and  everlasting  consecration  of  all  our  regenerated 
powers  to  God — a  consecration,  of  course,  including  the  surrender  of  every 
doubtful  indulgence,  and  the  willing  acceptance  of  any  and  every  test  of 
Christian  obedience — and,  in  addition,  implying  the  constant  resting  in 
Christ  by  faith  as  our  full  and  perfect  Saviour,  trusting  Him  not  only  to  save 
us,  but  to  keep  us  saved.  Let  the  Church  accept  this  privilege,  so  exceeding 
great  and  precious — let  her  perform  this  service,  so  reasonable  and  script- 
ural, and  her  spiritual  life  will  be  more  divine,  more  practical,  and  more 
enduring. 

"  I.  It  will  be  more  divine.  Consecrating  ourselves  without  any  reserva- 
tion or  limitations  to  the  service  of  God,  and  concerned  to  accept  of  Christ 
in  the  fullest  sense,  we  necessarily  come  nearer  to  God,  and,  in  a  broader 
and  deeper  and  fuller  sense,  become  partakers  of  the  divine  nature — par- 
takers of  the  divine  wisdom — and  purity — and  gentleness — and  patience — 
and  loving  kindness  and  power.  But  some  one  will  ask,  Is  this  different 
from  the  grace  received  at  conversion  ?  We  answer,  No  !  it  is  only  more 
of  that  precious  grace — as  we  sometimes  hear,  it  is  a  '  deeper  -work  of  grace? 
Christ  comes  in  His  spiritual  presence  to  abide  in  our  soul,  and  while  we 
trust  in  Him,  He  assumes  the  entire  responsibility  of  our  complete  salva- 
tion. Now,  without  wasting  time  on  disputed  theories  or  theological  dis- 
tinctions, let  us  ask,  Is  not  this  the  great  need  of  the  spiritual  life  of  the 
Church  ? — is  not  this  a  conscious  and  confessed  want  in  our  experience  as 
professing  Christians  ? 

"  We  have  life,  but  we  do  not  have  it  abundantly.  We  love  God,  but 
we  do  not  love  Him  with  a  perfect  love — for  a  perfect  love  is  necessarily 


MARKS   OF   THE    HIGHER   SPIRITUAL   LIFE.  391 

dependent  upon  a  perfect  consecration  ;  just  at  the  point  that  our  consecra- 
tion is  imperfect  our  love  is  imperfect,  for  it  is  then  a  divided,  which  is  an 
imperfect  love.  We  walk  in  the  path  of  obedience,  but  we  do  not  always 
stand  up  and  go  steadily  forward  in  that  path.  We  have  peace  with  God 
as  the  result  of  our  justification  and  adoption,  but  we  can  not  testify  to  per- 
fect rest — the  rest  of  perfect  order,  perfect  activity,  perfect  security,  perfect 
faith,  perfect  love,  and  perfect  peace  in  the  soul.  The  spiritual  life  of  the 
Church  needs,  beyond  all  cavil  or  controversy,  the  elevation,  invigoration, 
and  inspiration  that  this  grace  of  Christian  holiness  would  give  it 

"  2.  But  again,  the  acceptance  of  our  full  Gospel  privilege  would  make 
the  spiritual  life  of  the  Church  not  only  more  pure  and  divine,  but  more 
practical. 

"  Need  we  say  that  one  of  the  greatest  desideratums  of  the  Church,  and 
one  of  the  most  peremptory  demands  of  the  world  around,  is  a  more  practical 
piety.  Men  will  judge  of  our  religion,  not  so  much  by  what  it  is,  as  by  what 
it  does.  Now  you  will  be  reminded  that  the  higher  Christian  life  for  which 
we  plead  involves  an  entire  consecration  of  ourselves  to  God,  and  this  con- 
secration implies  the  use  of  all  we  have  and  are  in  harmony  with  the  divine 
will,  and  for  the  promotion  of  the  divine  glory.  It  writes  on  our  hands,  our 
feet,  our  senses,  our  bodies,  '  All  sacred  to  Jesus.'  It  uses  our  understand- 
ing, judgment,  imagination,  memory,  conscience,  will,  and  affections,  all  as 
belonging  to  Jesus.  It  holds  the  gifts  of  God's  providence,  such  as  time, 
health,  energy,  reputation,  influence,  home,  kindred,  friends,  property,  all  as 
subordinate  to  the  will  of  Jesus.  It  takes  the  entire  man  for  Jesus.  In  his 
life  it  makes  him  temperate,  gentle,  careful,  humble,  earnest,  honest,  liberal, 
and  loving.  In  his  political  relations  it  makes  him  as  conscientious  and 
pure  as  in  the  ordering  of  his  private  religious  life.  In  his  business  it  lifts 
him  up  from  the  mere  drudgery  of  a  respectable  but  debasing  selfishness, 
and,  filling  him  with  Christian  principles,  and  linking  all  his  secular  trans- 
actions with  the  divine  service,  it  makes  him  a  co-worker  with  God  in  the 
world's  elevation  and  salvation.  In  his  family  it  erects  the  altar  of  domestic 
worship — supplies  the  inspiration  of  a  Christian  example,  diffuses  around 
the  atmosphere  of  love,  welcomes  the  presence  of  Jesus,  and  thus  consti- 
tutes the  home  as  the  house  of  God,  and  the  very  gate  of  Heaven. 

"3.  One  other  suggestion  is,  that  the  spiritual  life  of  the  Church  needs 
to  be  more  enduring. 

"  Confined  at  present  too  much  to  sacred  places  and  special  seasons,  the 
tendency  is  to  impulsive,  spasmodic,  irregular,  and  unreliable  religious  life. 
It  glows  in  the  summer  amid  the  hallowed  privileges  of  the  consecrated 
forest  It  burns  in  the  fall  or  winter  when  revival  fires  are  blazing  upon  our 


3Q2  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Church  altars.  It  emits  fitful  gleams  on  the  Sabbath-day,  or  in  the  class-room, 
or  in  the  prayer-meeting,  but  a  strong,  round,  full,  regular,  satisfying,  stead- 
ily increasing  religious  life — a  life  that  is  as  consistent  at  home  as  away  from 
home ;  as  faithful  in  little  things  as  in  great  matters ;  as  careful  in  a  trans- 
action that  the  world  will  never  hear  of,  as  in  one  that  shall  be  blazoned  be- 
fore the  Church  and  the  world — ah !  this  is  the  pure  and  abiding  life  that 
the  Church  needs  and  must  have.  Let  Christ  in  his  spiritual  presence  abide 
in  the  heart,  the  life  of  our  life,  the  soul  of  our  soul,  bringing  all  our  habits 
and  practices  into  harmony  with  the  divine  will,  and  the  spiritual  life  of 
the  Church  shall  of  necessity  become  more  divine — more  practical — more 
enduring. 

"  Brothers,  is  not  this  our  need  ?  Observe,  we  do  not  plead  for  changes 
or  improvements  in  our  ecclesiastical  machinery — we  hold  that  nearly  all 
the  main  features  of  our  working  economy  are  the  gifts  of  God's  providence, 
and  can  not  with  advantage  be  substituted  by  different  arrangements.  Again, 
we  do  not  argue  for  or  insist  upon  a  higher  standard  of  piety.  The  standard 
as  we  conceive  has  been  fixed  by  Christ  himself,  and  is  as  old  as  the  Apos- 
tolic age.  Not  able  to  elevate  it,  and  not  willing  to  lower  it  one  iota,  we 
simply  say  to  those  who  are  equally  responsible  and  interested  with  ourselves, 
Let  us  measure  up  to  it.  Let  us  be  a  holy  people.  Holiness  is  power.  What 
the  Church  needs,  what  the  world  around  is  looking  and  waiting  for,  is  more 
of  power.  We  must  have  it  for  the  fulfillment  of  our  high  and  holy  mission, 
viz.,  the  spiritual  conquest  of  the  world.  Entire  sanctification — says  Dr.. 
Abel  Stevens,  in  his  admirable  history — was  the  great  potential  idea  of  early 
Methodism.  It  made  our  first  preachers  mighty,  irresistible,  a  flame  of  fire. 
It  made  our  fathers  and  mothers  an  aggressive  power  and  an  almost  unparal- 
leled blessing  in  their  day.  It  took  hold  upon  the  conscience  and  hearts  of 
the  unsaved  in  great  communities.  '  Wherever,'  said  Mr.  Wesley,  '  the  work 
of  sanctification  revives,  the  work  of  God  revives  in  its  different  branches.' 
1  This,'  he  remarked, '  is  the  great  depositum  which  God  has  given  to  the 
people  called  Methodists.  Their  mission  is  to  spread  scriptural  holiness 
over  these  lands.'  Observe,  not  that  generic  holiness  which,  promoting  re- 
pentance, faith,  justification,  regeneration,  and  holy  living,  claims  that  it  is 
spreading  scriptural  holiness.  All  the  evangelical  churches  join  with  us  to 
do  this.  Our  special  mission,  as  we  understand,  is  to  hold  up  entire  sanc- 
tification as  an  experience  to  be  obtained  by  faith,  and,  because  by  faith,  to 
be  obtained  now.  This,  secured  in  a  specific  sense,  becomes  our  best  prepara- 
tion to  spread  it  in  both  a  specific  and  a  generic  sense. 

"  Oh,  brothers  !  successors  to  Coke  and  Asbury  and  Abbott  and  Garrett- 
son,  take  up  and  carry  forward  the  banner  of  holiness  that  they  planted  so 


CHRISTIAN   UNITY    ILLUSTRATED.  393 

faithfully  in  this  region.  Methodist  people  of  the  Peninsula,  who  in  the 
midst  of  fierce  fires  of  opposition  have  demonstrated  so  undeniably  your 
civil  and  ecclesiastical  loyalty,  clinging  with  a  heroic  devotion  to  your 
mother  nation  and  your  mother  Church,  covenant  that  this  historic  ground, 
already  glorious,  shall  be  made  more  glorious  still. 

"  Rekindle  the  old  fi-res,  rekindle  them  in  every  county,  in  every  town- 
ship, in  every  neighborhood,  in  every  home,  in  every  heart.  Take  the  en- 
tire region  for  God.  Bring  its  warm  hearts,  its  growing  wealth,  its  multi- 
plied comforts,  its  rich  abundance,  its  acknowledged  advantages,  and  lay  all 
upon  the  Christian  altar.  Ask,  believe,  and  wait  for  the  promised  baptism 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and,  with  an  unprecedented  endowment  of  spiritual  life, 
the  Church  and  territory  within  the  limits  of  the  Wilmington  Conference  shall 
vindicate  the  language  of  prophecy  :  '  Thou  shalt  also  be  a  crown  of  glory  in 
the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and  a  royal  diadem  in  the  hand  of  thy  God.  Thou 
shalt  no  more  be  termed  Forsaken,  neither  shall  thy  land  be  termed  Deso- 
late ;  but  thou  shalt  be  called  Hephzibah,  and  thy  land  Beulah ;  for  the 
Lord  delighteth  in  thee,  and  thy  land  shall  be  married.' " 

I  quote  from  the  published  proceedings  an  account  of  the 
concluding  service  of  the  Convention  : 

"  The  Communion  service  that  followed  formed  a  most  beautiful,  appro- 
priate, and  profitable  finale  of  these  days  of  privilege.  Ministers  and  mem- 
bers from  all  parts  of  the  Wilmington  Conference  gathered  around  the  same 
hallowed  altar.  The  pastors  of  the  Presbyterian  and  Protestant  Episcopal 
Churches  of  Smyrna,  with  many  of  their  communicants,  participated  in  this 
service.  It  was  an  hour  never  to  be  forgotten.  Surely, 

" '  Heaven  came  down  our  souls  to  greet, 
And  glory  crowned  the  mercy-seat.'  " 

At  the  close  of  this  memorable  Communion,  when  the  very 
atmosphere  around  seemed  sacred  with  the  divine  presence, 
Rev.  Alfred  Cookman,  called  upon,  said : 

"  Brethren,  it  is  good  for  us  to  be  here.  As  we  look  around  and  recog- 
nize these  ministers  and  people  of  sister  churches  uniting  with  us  in  com- 
memorating the  love  of  our  common  Lord,  the  sentiment  instinctively  leaps 
to  our  lips,  '  Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell 
together  in  unity.'  Over  this  scene  I  fancy  I  see  stretching  a  rainbow  com- 
posed of  the  different  evangelical  churches ;  for  while,  like  the  colors  of 
the  natural  rainbow,  each  Church  retains  its  identity,  yet  at  the  same  time 

R  2 


394  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

beautifully  blending,  sweetly  harmonizing,  we  present  altogether  the  ad- 
vancing sign,  the  infallible  pledge  of  our  world's  triumphant  redemption. 
During  these  hallowed  moments  I  have  been  reminded  of  the  broken  alabas- 
ter box  of  which  mention  is  made  on  the  New  Testament  page.  It  has  oc- 
curred to  me  that  each  of  the  denominations  may  be  supposed  to  have  their 
fragment  still  redolent  with  the  fragrance  of  truth.  When  we  come  together 
on  these  delightful  occasions,  is  it  not  to  unite  our  fragments,  and  so  recon- 
struct the  box  ?  and  oh,  say,  does  not  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  vouch- 
safe the  unction  of  the  Holy  One  ?  does  not  the  precious  perfume  arising 
fill  the  house,  aye,  and  does  it  not  promise  to  fill  earth  and  heaven  too  with 
love  and  joy  and  praise  ? 

"  Brethren,  it  is  the  moment  of  parting.  We  shall  never  all  meet  again 
under  similar  circumstances.  How  blessed  the  truth  that  Christians  never 
part  for  the  last  time.  We  separate,  but  it  is  as  the  angels  do,  going  forth 
for  the  performance  of  the  divine  will,  but  with  the  assurance  that  our  home 
is  before  the  throne,  and  that 

" '  We  shall  meet  again, 

Meet  ne'er  to  sever ; 
Meet  when  love  shall  wreathe  her  chain 
Round  us  forever.' 

"Thank  God,  we  belong  to  a  sky-born,  sky-guided,  sky-returning  race, 
and  sweetly  the  peace  march  beats, '  Home,  brothers,  home  !' 

Dr.Morsell,  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  then  stepped 
forward,  and,  all  aglow  with  blessed  feeling,  said  : 

"This  is  your  feast  in  your  own  house ;  and  yet  I  have  not  been  willing 
that  you  should  have  it  all  to  yourselves.  Oh  !  how  I  have  enjoyed  the 
past  three  days !  We  have  felt  the  prayer  of  Jesus  answered,  '  that  they 
may  all  be  one,  as  Thou,  Father,  art  in  Me,  and  I  in  Thee,  that  they  also  may 
be  one  in  Us.'  And  now,  why  are  not  the  Christian  world  more  completely 
one  ?  Is  it  not  because  of  their  want  of  love  to  Jesus  ?  I  declare  to-night 
my  love  for  these  brethren — a  love  that  has  its  source  in  my  love  for  the 
Saviour.  While  I  have  been  feasting  with  you,  I  have  looked  around  to 
recognize  some  of  my  own  people  here.  I  would  that  the  whole  Church  to- 
night could  feel  as  I  feel.  We  have  lived  too  much  strangers  to  one  an- 
other. This  is  wrong.  It  is  the  same  many-mansioned  house.  I  am  only, 
so  to  speak,  in  another  room  of  God's  great  house.  Let  us  live  and  meet 
around  the  throne." 

The  tide  of  feeling  had  now  reached  its  highest  point,  and, 


CLOSE   OF   THE   PENINSULA   CONVENTION.  395 

overflowing,  the  entire  congregation  sprang  to  their  feet,  when 
Mr.  Cookman,  grasping  the  hand  of  the  Episcopal  clergyman 
on  his  left  and  the  hand  of  the  Presbyterian  pastor  on  his  right, 
proposed  that  members  of  the  Convention  and  all  the  Christian 
people  present  should  clasp  hands  and  join  to  sing — 

"  Say,  brothers,  will  you  meet  me 
On  Canaan's  happy  shore  ?" 

It  was  a  beautiful  scene.  Tears  were  flowing,  praises  resound- 
ing all  over  the  house,  as,  with  thrilling  tones,  the  large  audi- 
ence pledged  themselves,  singing  again  and  again — 

"  By  the  grace  of  God  we'll  meet  you 
Where  parting  is  no  more." 

A  member  of  the  Convention,  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Lightbourn,  in 
a  letter,  says,  "  Mr.  Cookman's  closing  address,  though  im- 
promptu, was  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  thrilling  to  which 
I  ever  listened." 

A  rare  and  pleasing  incident,  in  the  autumn  of  this  year,  in 
connection  with  the  pastorate  of  Grace  Church,  was  the  cele- 
bration of  the  birthday  of  a  centenarian,  Mr.  Joseph  Lynam. 
I  give  a  brief  extract  of  an  account  which  was  published  in  Tfie 
Methodist  Home  Journal,  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Cookman  : 

"  Last  week  the  hundredth  birthday  of  Mr.  Joseph  Lynam  was  celebrated 
at  the  house  of  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  Delaplaine  McDaniel,  near  Wilmington. 

"  The  company,  composed  almost  entirely  of  family  connections,  began  to 
arrive  about  one  o'clock  P.M.  It  was  beautiful  and  delightful  to  witness 
the  mingling  of  four  generations — great-grandchildren,  grandchildren,  chil- 
dren, and  the  venerable  parent.  Father  Lynam  was  of  course  the  centre  of 
the  group — all  vying  in  thoughtful  attentions  and  loving  services.  This  in- 
teresting man,  the  eldest  son  of  John  and  Ann  Lynam,  was  born  on  the  nth 
of  October,  1770,  nearly  six  years  before  the  Declaration  of  American  Inde- 
pendence." 

On  the  24th  of  December,  1870,  Mr.  Abraham  Bruner,  the 
father  of  Mrs.  Cookman,  was  struck  with  paralysis,  after  which 
he  gradually  failed,  until  he  died  on  the  3d  of  March  following, 


396  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

aged  seventy-eight  years.  He  had  been  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church  since  his  fifteenth  year,  and  in  the  town  where 
he  lived  so  long  was  universally  esteemed  for  his  religious  and 
social  worth,  his  business  probity  and  success.  In  his  last 
illness  Mr.  Cookman  wrote  him  these  tender  and  comforting 
words : 

"  Your  spiritual  interests  have  been  considered  through  a  long  succession 
of  years,  and  He  who  has  been  with  you  tenderly  declares,  '  I  will  not  cast 
you  off  in  old  age,  neither  will  I  forsake  you  when  your  strength  faileth.' 
Commit  your  destiny  entirely  into  the  hands  of  your  covenant-keeping  Lord. 
Loosen  your  grasp  on  every  thing  but  Jesus,  and  during  the  rest  of  your 
earthly  sojourn  He  will  give  you  to  abide  in  the  land  of  Beulah,  where  the 
birds  sing,  and  the  sun  shines,  and  the  flowers  bloom,  and.every  thing  is  bright 
and  beautiful  and  blessed.  Then,  accompanied  by  the  angels,  you  shall  go 
over  the  river,  and  on  the  shining  shore  meet  the  loved  ones  who  are  gath- 
ering there,  and,  better  than  all  besides,  see  the  King  in  His  beauty." 

The  letter  of  Mr.  Cookman  to  his  friends,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Thomas  W.  Price,  of  Philadelphia,  consoling  them  in  the  death 
of  a  child,  will  be  recalled.  It  now  became  his  pleasant  duty 
to  congratulate  them  on  the  occasion  of  the  twenty-fifth  anni- 
versary of  their  marriage.  He  could  rejoice  with  the  happy 
and  weep  with  the  sorrowful.  He  addressed  them  in  substance 
as  follows : 

"OUR  DEAR  FRIENDS, — Allow  us  to  offer  our  most  affectionate  congratu- 
lations. Twenty-five  years  of  married  life  !  In  memory  a  hand-breadth, 
a  beautiful  dream  when  one  awaketh,  but  crowded  full  of  deeply  interesting 
incidents.  During  this  period  your  children  have  been  born ;  of  whom 
those  living,  like  good  wine,  seem  to  be  constantly  improving  with  age,  and 
the  others,  who  have  died,  never  to  be  forgotten,  the  glorified,  are  safely 
housed  far  beyond  the  reach  of  temptation,  sorrow,  and  sin. 

"  During  these  years  there  has  been,  oh,  how  much  of  toil  and  perplexity 
in  business  life,  but  relieved  by  the  steady  increase,  the  encouraging  success 
with  which  Providence  has  favored  you  1  A  majority  of  those  who  started 
out  with  you  have  been  overwhelmed  in  failure,  while  your  course  has  been 
prosperously  onward.  During  these  years  you  have  shared  the  palmy  days 
of  old  St.  George's,  and  then  Green  Street,  and  now  Spring  Garden  Street 


CHRISTIAN   CONGRATULATION.  397 

churches.  The  first  named  especially  will  furnish  memories  that  constitute 
some  of  the  brightest  sunshine  of  the  past.  During  these  years  you  have 
been  a  sturdy  warrior  in  some  of  the  leading  moral  reforms,  and  have  lived 
long  enough  to  see  the  death  of  American  Slavery,  and  to  witness  Lay  Dele- 
gation putting  its  foot  proudly  upon  the  threshold  of  the  inner  sanctuary  of 
American  Methodism. 

"  There  is  certainly  great  occasion  for  congratulation,  rejoicing,  and  ten- 
der thankfulness  as  you  retrospect  the  interesting  fact,  but  especially  should 
your  hearts  overflow  with  gratitude  as  you  think  of  one  another. 

"The  Christmas  season  of  1845  gave  mv  sister  the  present  of  a  husband — 
honest,  earnest,  virtuous,  industrious,  faithful ;  and  if  he  has  sometimes  been 
impulsive  and  blunt,  she  has  at  the  same  time  known  that  the  hasty  manner 
and  strong  style  were  his  peculiarities,  and  were  nothing  \i\i&\  balanced  against 
his  other  sterling  virtues ;  and  then  that  same  26th  of  December  gave  my  old 
friend  a  wife,  that  infinite  wisdom  and  love  arranged  just  for  him — a  special 
Providence — for  I  know  that  he  would  not  exchange  her  gentleness,  quiet- 
ness, prudence,  neatness,  and  practicalness  for  all  the  attractions  that  the 
woman  of  literature,  or  of  fashion,  or  of  worldly  styles  could  possibly  have 
offered  him.  Now,  own  up,  my  truthful  old  friend,  and  say  if,  in  arranging 
you  a  comfortable  home,  and  watching  over  your  cherished  children,  and 
diligently  and  ceaselessly  studying  your  happiness  during  these  twenty-five 
blessed  years,  she  has  not  bankrupted  you  to  such  an  extent  that  it  would 
be  impossible  for  you  to  pay  the  debt  of  love  you  owe  ?  But  more  than  all 
else,  your  home  during  these  years  has  been  a  Christian  home,  honored  and 
sanctified  by  the  presence  of  Jesus.  Your  family  altar  has  not  been  per- 
mitted to  fall  down,  but  every  day  you  have  invoked  upon  yourselves  and 
your  dear  children  the  blessing  of  Him  whose  blessing  maketh  rich  and 
addeth  no  sorrow.  Let  this  quarter  of  a  century  heap  on  the  fuel !  Clam- 
ber up  upon  that  Ebenezer  you  are  building  to-day,  and  as  you  look  back 
through  your  tears  of  gratitude,  marking  all  the  way  that  a  kind  Providence 
has  led  you,  sing,  in  your  clear  tenor  tones — 

" '  When  all  Thy  mercies,  oh  my  God, 

My  rising  soul  surveys, 
Transported  with  the  bliss,  I'm  lost 
In  wonder,  love,  and  praise.' 

While  upon  the  silver  altar  of  your  twenty-fifth  anniversary  you  renew  your 
vows  to  love,  honor,  and  cherish  one  another  so  long  as  ye  both  shall  live, 
at  the  same  time  turn  your  thoughts  heavenward,  and,  influenced  by  the 
mercies  of  God,  covenant  not  to  be  more  devoted,  but  to  be  entirely  de- 
voted to  the  service  and  glory  of  Jesus." 


398  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

To  Mr.  Robert  P.  Smith,  editor  of  Showers  of  Blessing: 

"WILMINGTON,  December  30, 1870. 

"  I  am  just  now  in  receipt  of  your  note.  How  gloriously  God  is  working  ! 
These  instances  of  which  you  write  are  literal  miracles  of  grace.  Eternal 
praise  ! 

"  I  can  hardly  restrain  myself  this  afternoon  from  hastening  to  the  side  of 

dear  Mr. ,  not  that  I  could  help  or  serve  him,  but  I  could  at  least  witness 

the  grace  of  God  in  him,  and  be  with  him  at  the  foot  of  the  precious  cross. 

"  I  have,  however,  a  special  engagement  this  evening,  and  to-morrow  will 
be  entirely  filled  with  peremptory  duties.  Next  week  is  the  week  of  prayer. 
We  have  arranged  for  special  services  every  day,  both  afternoon  and  evening. 

"While,  therefore,  I  could  enjoy  association  with  you  in  any  services  or 
under  any  circumstances,  still  I  must  regard  home  claims  as  primary,  and 
deny  myself. 

"  I  was  delighted  to  hear  the  experience  of  our  brother,  P.  P . 

"  That  '  blessed  evening '  at  Ivy  Lodge  was  certainly  in  God's  order,  and 
seems  to  be  developing  more  than  we  had  asked  or  even  thought.  If  Brother 
P shall  go  over  the  world  singing  full  salvation,  it  will  be  like  the  addi- 
tion of  a  sweet-voiced  angel  to  our  ranks.  We  had  your  precious  sister  at 
our  Wednesday  meeting,  who  encouraged  us  with  blessed  tidings  concerning 
your  'saved  father.'  Wishing  you  the  best  blessings  of  the  Highest,  who 
giveth  us  Christmas,  New  -  year's,  and  every  good  and  perfect  gift,  I  am 
yours  in  the  fellowship  of  the  Spirit." 

The  time  drew  nigh  when  Mr.  Cookman's  pastoral  relations 
with  Grace  Church  must  be  dissolved.  He  probably  had  never 
been  more  useful  for  a  single  term.  With  a  magnificent  church 
building,  a  large  congregation  of  thoughtful,  sympathizing  per- 
sons, in  a  city  small  enough  to  be  easily  compassed,  and  yet 
large  and  active  enough  to  afford  variety,  surrounded  by  a  com- 
munity of  generous  hospitality,  and  assured  by  the  most  marked 
results  of  the  usefulness  of  his  ministry  and  his  acceptability 
with  the  people  generally,  his  days  had  glided  along  most  de- 
lightfully. No  great  sorrow  had  entered  his  home  or  his  im- 
mediate family,  except  the  death  of  the  aged  Mr.  Burner,  which 
was  in  the  course  of  nature,  and  really  the  term  at  Grace  seemed 
as  a  day  in  the  lightness  which  love,  joy,  friendship,  and  success 
had  imparted  to  every  burden.  He  loved  the  people,  and  they 


IMPRESSIONS   OF   A   CO-WORKER.  399 

loved  him.  The  services  he  rendered  to  the  cause  of  vital 
religion  and  good  morals  will  not  soon  be  forgotten  by  the  citi- 
zens of  Wilmington. 

The  Rev.  George  H.  Smyth,  late  pastor  of  the  West  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  Wilmington,  Delaware,  has  kindly  furnished  some 
of  his  impressions  of  Mr.  Cookman  while  they  were  neighboring 
ministers  in  that  city  : 

"  It  was  my  privilege  to  labor  in  the  city  of  Wilmington,  Delaware,  side 
by  side  with  Brother  Cookman  for  more  than  two  years.  The  last  year  of 
his  residence  there  we  were  often  thrown  together  in  devotional  meetings, 
and  met  at  social  gatherings. 

"The  same  unbroken  uniformity  of  a  calm,  genial  temperament  ever  rested 
upon  him.  Truly  he  looked  like  one  that  possessed  a  peace  the  world  can 
neither  give  nor  take  away.  Nor  was  it  an  acquired,  stoical  indifference 
that  made  him  insensible  to  surrounding  influences,  for  he  had  a  most  sus- 
ceptible nature,  that  sympathized  with  every  thing  that  was  innocent  around 
him.  He  always  appeared  solemn  and  dignified  in  his  bearing,  and  at  the 
same  time  easy  and  unaffected  in  his  manners. 

"  He  had  a  keen  sense  of  the  ludicrous,  and  would  laugh  till  he  shook 
all  over.  I  remember  on  one  occasion  we  were  in  one  of  the  Union  prayer- 
meetings,  held  the  first  week  of  the  new  year,  when  an  amusing  incident 
occurred.  *  *  *  Mr.  Cookman  was  seated  on  the  platform,  and,  as  a  sup- 
pressed smile  passed  all  over  the  meeting,  I  shall  never  forget  the  efforts  he 
made  to  preserve  his  gravity,  his  hands  over  his  face,  and  his  whole  body 
shaking  with  laughter.  '  Oh,'  said  he  afterward,  '  I  did  want  to  get  off  the 
platform  to  some  place  where  I  could  laugh  !' 

"  And  yet,  with  all  his  pleasantry  and  readiness  to  contribute  to  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  social  gathering,  no  man  was  freer  from  a  spirit  of  levity  or  irrever- 
ence for  sacred  things  than  was  Brother  Cookman.  He  was  a  very  spiritual- 
ly minded  man,  and  seemed  to  breathe  continually  a  devotional  atmosphere. 

"  In  no  place  did  he  seem  more  at  home  than  in  a  prayer-meeting.  He 
was  a  fine  singer,  and  in  his  selection  of  appropriate  and  beautiful  hymns, 
sung  with  his  rich,  mellow  voice,  and  in  his  earnest  pleadings  with  God,  he 
would  diffuse  the  sweetest  devotional  spirit  into  all  present,  and  often  melt 
the  congregation  to  tears.  While  the  people  were  kneeling  sometimes  at 
the  close  of  a  prayer,  he  would  start  a  hymn,  which  contained  a  petition  just 
as  suited  to  the  occasion  as  if  it  had  been  written  for  it,  and  all  would  sing 
it  through  on  their  knees  before  God,  and  then  one  and  another  would  burst 
forth  with  earnest  prayer. 


400  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  In  this  way,  without  calling  on  any  one  or  urging  any  one  to  speak  or 
pray,  he  would  kindle  the  flame  of  devotion  until  no  one  could  keep  silent. 

"  The  Orthodox  Friends — than  whom  no  more  godly  people  are  to  be 
found  in  that  city — were  many  of  them  attracted  to  his  church,  and  asso- 
ciated with  him  in  Christian  work. 

"  Perhaps  no  man  ever  exerted  a  wider  or  better  influence  in  that  com- 
munity, in  the  same  time,  than  did  Alfred  Cookman,  and  no  man  was  more 
highly  esteemed  or  more  tenderly  loved.  And  why  should  he  not  ?  To 
very  many  his  life  and  labors  had  proved,  under  God,  an  unspeakable 
blessing. 

"  The  moulding  power  of  Brother  Cookman's  godly  life  over  Grace  Church 
just  at  a  most  important  period  of  its  early  history  will  continue,  I  doubt 
not,  to  bless  that  Church  to  its  latest  day ;  so  it  will  many  outside  of  that 
Church  who  were  brought  in  contact  with  his  great,  catholic,  Christ-like 
spirit. 

"  For,  while  a  decided  Methodist,  Brother  Cookman  was  a  man  of  large 
heart,  expansive  views,  and  a  charity  that  cordially  fellowshiped  with  all 
true  believers  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Hence  he  was  ever  ready  for  co- 
operation with  any  or  all  the  other  denominations  in  any  movement  for  ad- 
vancing the  cause  of  Christ  in  the  community  or  in  the  world.  I  have  heard 
it  said  by  old  men  that  never  before  had  there  been  such  a  kind,  fraternizing 
spirit  among  all  denominations  of  Christians  as  there  was  at  that  time  in 
Wilmington." 

The  following  tribute,  in  harmony  with  Mr.  Smyth's  state- 
ment, appeared  just  before  Mr.  Cookman's  removal,  in  The  Wil- 
mington Commercial: 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Cookman  closes  the  last  three  years  of  his  ministry  in  this 
city  on  next  Sabbath.  They  have  been  years  of  indefatigable  labor,  of  great 
acceptability,  and  distinguished  success.  Being  the  first  pastor  in  the  great 
Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  the  most  beautiful  church,  we  think,  on 
this  continent,  it  was  his  to  settle  its  spiritual  foundations,  and  give  tone 
and  evangelical  views  to  its  worshipers,  and  start  the  Church  on  in  deeds  of 
great  enterprise.  He  has  borne  up  the  ark  of  testimony  by  his  own  per- 
sonal piety,  by  his  faithful  and  eloquent  preaching,  his  labors  in  Sabbath- 
schools,  in  the  temperance  cause,  missionary  operations,  and,  in  fact,  in  ev- 
ery good  word  and  work  among  the  sister  churches  and  other  denomina- 
tions. He  truly  possesses  a  union  and  fraternal  spirit,  and  wherever  he 
goes  he  has  a  hand  and  heart  for  every  body. 

"It  is  with  deep  regret  that  his  brethren  of  the  Wilmington  Conference 


PARTING   WITH    GRACE    CHURCH.  40 1 

part  with  him,  and  many  of  the  laity  will  follow  him  with  tearful  eyes,  and 
prayerful  wishes  that  they  may  meet  again  on  this  side  of  the  grave,  and  if 
not,  that  they  may  meet  in  heaven.  The  young,  to  whom  he  has  been  pecul- 
iarly useful,  and  who  are  sincerely  attached  to  him,  will  be  deeply  affected. 
May  good  angels  go  with  him." 

The  parting  interviews  of  the  beloved  pastor  with  his  Church 
in  all  its  departments — the  general  congregation,  the  Sunday- 
school,  the  social  meeting  —  were  deeply  affecting,  but  with 
none  more  so  than  with  the  chosen  circle  of  persons  who  were 
in  the  habit  of  attending  the  Wednesday-afternoon  meeting. 
Mr.  W.  S.  Hillis,  a  minister  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  in  opening 
the  Wednesday-afternoon  meeting  at  which  Mr.  Cookman  was 
last  present  before  leaving,  felt  impressed  to  select  the  account 
of  St.  Paul's  last  charge  to  the  elders  of  the  Church  of  Ephesus, 
Acts  xx.,  17,  etc. ;  and  as  he  read  the  verses  concluding,  "And 
they  all  wept  sore,  and  fell  on  Paul's  neck,  and  kissed  him ; 
sorrov:ing  most  of  all  for  the  words  which  he  spake,  that  they 
should  see  his  face  no  more,"  he  was  overcome  by  his  emotions. 
Mr.  Cookman  and  the  whole  audience  wept,  and  for  some  time 
the  sorrow  was  so  uncontrollable  as  to  make  it  impossible  to 
proceed  with  the  services.  Alas !  how  prophetic  the  selection 
of  those  words ! 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

CENTRAL  CHURCH,  NEWARK,  N.  J. — OCEAN  GROVE  CAMP-GROUND. 
— NATIONAL  GAMP-MEETINGS  AT  ROUND  LAKE  AND  URBANA. 

FOR  months  prior  to  March,  1871,  Mr.  Cookman's  mind  had 
been  agitated  with  the  question  of  his  next  appointment.  He 
had  been  invited  to  Boston,  Mass.,  Chicago,  111.,  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  Washington,  D.  C.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  Newark,  N.  J., 
and  pressed  earnestly  in  all  these  cases  to  entertain  the  propo- 
sition for  a  transfer.  He  undoubtedly  meant,  when  he  returned 
to  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  to  remain  in  it  for  life  ;  but  the 
division  of  the  Conference  in  1868  had  unexpectedly  thrown 
him  out  of  it  into  the  Wilmington  Conference,  and  now  his  Con- 
ference relations  were  again  unsettled.  So  imperative  seemed 
the  demand  for  his  services  in  certain  important  churches  in 
the  controlling  centres  of  population  and  influence,  that  he 
finally  yielded,  though  reluctantly,  to  higher  convictions  of  duty 
— in  regard  to  the  freest  interchange  of  ministers  throughout  the 
whole  Church — and  consented  to  be  transferred  to  the  Newark 
Conference,  and  was  stationed  at  the  Central  Church,  Market 
Street,  Newark,  N.  J.  This  proved  to  be  his  last  transfer  and 
his  last  appointment  in  the  Church.  At  the  next  roll-call,  at 
the  name  of  Alfred  Cookman,  instead  of  the  round,  full,  silvery 
"fart,"  there  would  be  silence  and  tears. 

In  view  of  the  frequency  of  Mr.  Cookman's  transfers  from 
one  Conference  to  another,  and  of  the  class  of  churches  which 
he  generally  served,  a  communication  from  Mr.  John  Thomp- 
son, of  Philadelphia,  will  be  found  pertinent.  A  letter  from 
himself  to  a  lady  friend  reveals  the  same  earnest  desire  that 
ever  attended  these  changes,  to  know  and  follow  the  divine 


CONCERNING   HIS   NEXT   PASTORATE.  403 

will.  An  incident  also  occurred  before  he  left  Grace,  while  his 
mind  was  yet  undetermined  as  to  the  course  he  should  take. 

There  was  a  little  prayer-meeting  at  which  were  present  some 
of  his  closest  friends.  He  prayed  earnestly  to  be  directed  to 
go  where  God  might  will — to  suffer  or  to  die  for  Him  ;  and  re- 
quested his  friends  to  make  special  prayer.  The  next  morning 
they  all  said  "  Newark." 

From  Mr.  John  Thompson  to  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Cookman  : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  March  22, 1873. 

"  Some  time  before  you  left  Grace  Church,  Wilmington,  Del.,  I  wrote  to 
Brother  Cookman  in  reference  to  his  future  field  of  labor.  You  know  that 
our  intimacy  was  such  that  we  freely  opened  our  hearts  to  each  other  on  all 
such  subjects.  I  kept  no  copy  of  my  letter,  and  do  not  recollect  the  precise 
wording,  but  the  substance  which  I  recollect  distinctly  was  that  for  some 
time  I  had  been  strongly  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  his  usefulness 
would  be  greatly  increased  if  he  were  allowed  the  privilege  of  filling  a  dif- 
ferent class  of  appointments.  I  recollect  I  named  such  churches  as  Ken- 
sington, Tabernacle,  and  Ebenezer,  of  this  city.  I  urged  that  while  he  had 
the  ability  to  succeed  in  what  are  called  first-class  churches,  such  as  he  had 
been  filling,  that  the  proposed  charges,  with  the  same  untiring  effort,  deep 
piety,  and  popular  ability  for  which  he  was  so  remarkable,  would  yield  a 
much  more  glorious  harvest.  I  closed  with  the  solicitation  that  he  would 
give  me  his  views  and  convictions  in  this  connection. 

"  The  promptness  of  his  reply  indicated  his  deep  interest  in  the  subject. 
I  regret  that  I  did  not  preserve  his  letter.  He  said  he  was  glad  I  proposed 
the  inquiry.  It  was  a  subject  that  had  caused  him  the  most  intense  solici- 
tude. The  great  matter  with  him  was  to  ascertain  clearly  what  the  Lord 
would  have  him  do  (on  this  point  he  wjfc  sometimes  confused),  but  a  clear 
conviction  of  the  will  of  God  settled  all  other  questions  in  his  mind.  First- 
class  churches  were  seemingly  a  necessity  of  the  times.  Somebody  must 
be  appointed  to  the  pastoral  charge.  Without  any  se'eking  on  his  part  some 
of  them  asked  for  his  services,  and  it  was  the  opinion  of  the  bishops  that 
this  was  his  proper  sphere  of  labor.  He  considered  when  he  entered  on 
the  itinerant  work  of  the  ministry  that  he  surrendered  the  question  of  the 
field  of  his  labor  to  the  godly  judgment  of  the  bishops,  and  if  they  should  at 
any  time  change  their  judgment  and  appoint  him  to  such  fields  of  labor  as 
I  had  suggested,  it  would  give  him  great  satisfaction.  As  far  as  he  had  any 
choice  in  the  matter,  he  thought  this  would  be  his  preference. 


404  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  He  claimed  that  it  was  generally  understood  that  he  preferred  the  free- 
seat  system — that  on  this  subject  he  had  not  sought  to  conceal  his  views, 
but  that  he  did  not  feel  called  on  to  disturb  the  peace  of  the  Church  on  this 
subject,  as  he  had  unbounded  confidence  in  the  piety  of  those  who  held  op- 
posite views.  He  supposed  that  Newark,  N.  J.,  would  be  his  next  field  of 
labor,  but  if  it  were  not  the  will  of  God,  he  trusted  that  all  arrangements  in 
this  direction  would  be  defeated.  I  do  not  pretend  to  give  Brother  Cook- 
man's  precise  words,  but  I  think  I  correctly  give  you  his  sentiments  as  ex- 
pressed in  the  letter  referred  to." 

To  Mrs.  Lewis,  of  Columbus,  O.  : 

"WILMINGTON,  September  20,  1870. 

*  *  *  "  Last  Friday  I  was  disappointed  in  not  dining  with  you  and  Ho- 
mer, but  some  brethren,  waylaying  me,  marched  me  off  to  the  Continental, 
and  took  nearly  all  my  noon-time  in  pressing  upon  my  attention  the  claims 
and  attractions  of  their  pastorate.  I  am  sure  I  could  enjoy  it  and  be  useful 
in  that  sphere,  but  what  am  I  to  do  ?  The  calls  begin  to  come  in,  and 
among  the  rest  a  very  special  one  from  Cincinnati.  The  mention  of  Ohio 
will  make  Homer's  heart  thrill.  I  love  it  for  his  sake,  but  have  myself  never 
felt  any  wonderful  drawing  to  the  West — dread  the  long  journey  for  my 
large  family,  the  laborious  house-keeping  in  that  smoky  atmosphere,  the 
separation  from  our  mothers  and  life-long  friends,  etc.,  etc.  Still  I  want  to 
move  in  God's  order,  and  this  may  be  His  order.  Oh,  for  a  "voice  from 
Heaven  !  It  is  too  bad  for  so  many  people  to  put  their  cares  on  your  kind 
he,art,  but  you  know  that,  apart  from  kindred,  you  are  one  of  my  very  dearest 
friends  in  the  world.  Homer  will  not  upbraid  me  when  I  say  that  I  love 
you — aye,  and  him,  too,  with  a  true,  pure,  and  blessed  love  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  For  nearly  twelve  years  your  friendship  has  been  as  true  as 
the  needle  to  the  pole,  while  the  remembrance  of  your  self-sacrificing  serv- 
ices in  times  of  trial  fills  my  hear*  with  unutterable  gratitude  to  Almighty 
God  for  your  sisterly  affection.  Will  you  not,  then,  let  me  ask  that  you 
will  especially  pray  that  I  may  be  guided  at  this  most  important  juncture  ? 
God  can  overrule  my  mistakes.  I  know  that,  but  I  do  not  want  to  make 
any  mistake.  I  desire  to  choose  the  right  and  the  best  way. 

"  Give  my  best  love  to  Homer. 

"Annie  starts  for  Philadelphia  to-morrow,  taking  the  baby,  of  course. 
He  is  intensely  sweet — a  drop  of  Heaven"1!  honey  laid  on  our  hearts." 

The  Central  Church,  Newark,  gave  a  cordial  welcome  to  their 
new  pastor.  He  found  a  large  and  handsome  church  edifice, 


SETTLED   AGAIN. PERFECT   PEACE.  405 

well  located,  with  a  thrifty,  active,  and  generous  membership, 
disposed  in  every  way  to  promote  his  comfort  and  usefulness. 
Within  a  few  brief  weeks  he  was  ensconced  with  his  family  in 
their  pleasant  home,  and  he  was  as  deeply  immersed  in  the 
duties  of  the  pastorate  as  if  no  change  had  taken  place  from 
one  charge  to  another.  The  facility  with  which  pastors  go 
from  Church  to  Church,  and  with  which  the  churches  accept 
one  pastor  after  another,  is  inexplicable  to  persons  outside  of 
Methodism.  The  only  explanation  is,  it  is  law  and  usage — 
ministers  and  people  have  become  accustomed  to  the  system, 
and,  content  with  its  workings,  they  accept  it  as  a  matter  of 
course,  and  as  the  wisest  arrangement  for  the  whole  Church. 
The  prompt  and  cheerful  acquiescence  in  the  plan  does  not, 
however,  preclude  the  sharp  pangs  caused  by  the  severance  of 
pastoral  relations — many  times  the  pastor's  heart  aches  for  the 
absent  flock,  and  the  people's  hearts  yearn  for  the  recent  pastor 
— but  soon  the  new  pastor  and  the  new  people  become  so  taken 
up  with  each  other  as  to  prevent  undue  pain,  while  the  strong 
attachments  of  former  relationships  are  silently  cherished  as  the 
pure  and  tender  memories  of  a  past  which  is  ever  present. 

To  Mr.  W.  S.  Hillis,  of  Wilmington,  Delaware  : 

"NEWARK,  NEW  JERSEY,  April  25,  1871. 

"  You  have  not  been  an  itinerant  minister,  and  yet  can  form  some  idea  of 
the  duties  claiming  attention  upon  the  threshold  of  a  new  pastorate.  Home 
must  be  re-afranged,  visits  must  be  made,  the  new  routine  of  service  must 
be  found  out  and  entered  upon,  etc.,  etc.* 

"Comfortably  situated  domestically,  we  begin  to,  feel  like  living  again. 
Our  new  charge  has  made  a  very  generous  provision  for  our  comfort. 
Our  home  is  commodious,  centrally  located,  nicely  furnished,  and  very  com- 
fortable. 

"  How  is  your  Wednesday  meeting  prospering  in  Wilmington  ? 

"  Steady  persistence  just  now  will  do  much  toward  establishing  our  pre- 
cious friends  in  the  truth  and  grace  of  God.  How  important  and  blessed  it 
is  to  be  '  established  in  the  faith?  David  testifies,  '  he  hath  established  my  go- 
ings? But  we  can  not  hope  for  this  any  where  else  than  in  the  path  of  obe- 
dience. Oh  !  to  have  that  settled  principle — that  unswerving  purpose — 


4°6  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

that  steady  faith — that  unremitting  love— that  keeps  our  feet  in  the  right 
way,  and  prepares  us  to  go  strongly  and  triumphantly  forward.  Persever- 
ing faithfulness  during  this  year  will  obtain  for  the  dear  brothers  and  sisters, 
through  Jesus,  this  establishing  grace,  and  thus  from  young  recruits  they  will 
grow  to  be  veterans,  who  can  be  trusted  in  the  great  battle  that  is  going  on 
between  sin  and  holiness. 

"  My  circumstances  during  the  last  few  weeks  have  not  been  favorable  to 
quiet,  steady  Christian  growth — at  least  so  the  human  would  suggest — and 
yet,  moving  as  I  humbly  believe  in  a  providential  path,  I  have  not  been  for- 
saken. In  the  life  of  faith  I  have  been  constantly  associated  with  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  He  has  been  overruling  all  for  my  spiritual  advantage.  When 
I  left  my  Wilmington  friends,  whom  I  loved  so  tenderly,  He  gave  me  to  re- 
alize that  I  might  not  quit  for  a  moment  His  blessed  side.  When  I  was 
without  a  home,  He  sweetly  reminded  me  of  the  permanent  mansion  that  He 
is  arranging  for  my  enjoyment.  When  I  had  the  trial  of  meeting  and  preach- 
ing to  a  strange  people,  he  kindly  whispered, '  Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,'  and 
then  vindicated  His  own  encouraging  truth.  When  I  sat  down  in  our  pres- 
ent comfortable  abode,  I  said, '  All  this  is  of  God.'  I  love  the  infinite  Giver 
more  for  His  unmerited  and  multiplied  gifts — and  thus  my  unsettlement, 
and  then  my  settlement  again,  have  both  been  pressed  into  the  service,  and 
redound  to  the  advantage  of  my  higher  spiritual  nature. 

"  Was  it  not  Martin  Luther  who  said  that '  God  dwells  in  Salem  rather 
than  in  Babylon.'  Bless  His  holy  name,  He  makes  my  heart '  Salem,'  and 
then  He  himself  abides  in  the  midst  of  this  sacred,  quiet,  and  satisfying 
peace.  His  precious  voice,  still,  small,  and  sweet,  could  not  be  heard  amid 
the  confusion  of  Babylon  ;  but,  oh  !  in  this  Salem  of  peace  we  listen,  and 
hear  Him  inly  speak. 

"Will  you  give  my  warmest  love  to  all  my  dear  Christian  friends  in  Wil- 
mington. Tell  them  that  my  truant  thoughts  very  often  run  away  from 
Newark,  and  in  imagination  I  see  them  in  their  social  circles,  or  associated 
in  their  Wednesday  afternoon  or  evening  meeting.  Cleansed  from  sin,  let 
us  go  on  concerned  to  be  without  wrinkle  or  any  such  thing.  After  the 
washing  or  purifying,  there  are  other  processes  used  by  the  Power  or  Spirit 
of  God  in  smoothing  and  adorning  and  perfecting  our  characters.  We  wan,t 
to  be  presented  faultless  before  the  throne  of  God  with  exceeding  great 
joy.  *  *  * 

"  Let  us  all  sit  down  together  in  heaven." 

It  is  evident  from  the  closing  sentences  of  this  letter  that  Mr. 
Cookman's  mind  was,  if  possible,  more  than  ever  absorbed  in 


SAINTLINESS.  407 

the  desire  for  personal  holiness.  He  was  increasingly  intent 
upon  one  object — to  be  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus.  Those  who 
were  most  intimately  associated  with  him  testify  that  there  was 
a  daily  dying  unto  the  world  and  living  unto  Christ,  such  as 
exceeded  his  former  habit — his  whole  being  appeared  to  be 
constantly  enveloped  in  an  atmosphere  of  devotion,  of  heavenly 
converse,  of  serene  yet  active  love.  He  impressed  all  who  came 
in  contact  with  him  that  he  was  so  far  separated  from  the  world, 
all  its  corruptions  and  even  frailties,  that  no  term  could  so  ade- 
quately sum  up  the  assemblage  of  his  graces,  or  so  fitly  charac- 
terize him  as — saintliness.  The  "spots"  and  "wrinkles"  had 
so  far  faded  from  the  beauteous  face  of  his  soul,  that  it  was 
manifest  the  hidden  force  of  the  Spirit  was  evolving  from  its 
workings  that  effectual  and  final  outgrowth  which  was  to  con- 
stitute completeness  in  the  spiritual  man.  "Other  processes" 
than  this  inward  working  of  the  Holy  Ghost  might  be  needed 
ere  this  completeness  is  reached,  ere  the  divine  Artificer  puts 
the  last  touch  of  beauty  on  the  sacred  work  which  is  to  abide 
forever.  His  eyes  are  held,  however,  that  he  can  not  see 
what  these  processes  may  be — perhaps  wisely.  There  was 
more  work  for  him  ta  do — the  day  still  shone  brightly — myriad 
voices  called  him  to  action — and,  though  admonished  by  casual 
bodily  ailments,  of  sufferings  heretofore  never  dreaded,  because 
never  even  partially  known,  yet,  in  happy  ignorance  of  the  ter- 
rible ordeal  which  awaited  him,  he  could  only  see  the  claims 
of  the  day,  in  which  alone  his  work  could  be  done. 

As  in  every  previous  charge,  so  at  Central,  Mr.  Cookman  be- 
gan very  soon  to  see  the  effects  of  an  earnest  ministry  in  a 
quickened  Church,  an  increasing  congregation,  and  the  general 
signs  of  the  esteem  of  the  people.  There  seemed  to  be  every 
reasonable  indication  that  in  coming  to  Newark  he  was  in  the 
path  of  duty.  A  little  incident  occurred  not  many  weeks  after 
his  entrance  upon  the  pastorate  which  helped  to  confirm  this 
conviction.  A  devout  lady  of  the  Church,  about  two  years 


408  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

prior  to  his  appointment,  when  greatly  burdened  on  account  of 
the  coldness  of  the  people  of  Central,  exclaimed  in  her  closet, 
"  Oh,  if  the  Lord  would  only  send  the  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman  to 
us !"  This  prayer  she  felt  constrained  to  make,  believing  as 
she  did  that  he  would  be  the  best  one  to  lead  them  up  to  a 
higher  life.  When  he  was  sent  she  thought  it  was  in  answer  to 
prayer,  and  so  told  her  new  pastor.  His  reply  was,  "  It  is  very 
encouraging." 

As  evidence  of  the  deep  interest  he  at  once  felt  in  the  indi- 
viduals of  the  Church  and  the  Christian  work  they  were  doing, 
either  singly  or  as  organized  bands,  the  same  lady  has  narrated 
the  following : 

"  I  was  present  one  afternoon  at  the  business-meeting  of  our  '  Pastor's 
Aid  Society.'  As  we  all  knelt  down  at  the  opening  prayer,  I  said  to  myself, 
almost  involuntarily,  '  Oh,  if  he  would  only  pray  for  me  too.'  As  I  turned 
around  to  watch  his  lips,  I  caught  the  words, '  Bless  the  dear  young  sister 
whose  ears  are  closed  to  outward  sounds.'  It  was  heard  and  answered,  as 
my  soul  then  and  there  received  conscious  strength. 

"  Did  you  ever  hear  that  one  afternoon,  as  Sister  O and  I  were  out 

visiting  among  our  sick  and  poor,  we  realized  so  unusually  the  presence  and 
smile  of  Jesus  ?  We  both  spoke  of  it,  and  praised  our  loving  Heavenly  Fa- 
ther. We  afterward  learned  that  on  that  same  afternoon  Brother  Cook- 
man had  called  at  Sister  O.'s,  and,  on  learning  where  we  were,  he  knelt 
down  and  asked  Jesus  to  be  with  and  bless  us.  How  clearly  that/r<yw  of 
faith  was  honored !" 

Far  reaching  as  was  Mr.  Cookman's  ministerial  influence,  by 
reason  not  only  of  his  fame,  but  his  actual  pastoral  and  occa- 
sional services  in  the  Church,  he  never  became  too  great  for 
the  little  duties  of  the  parish.  Outside  engagements,  however 
numerous  and  clamorous,  were  not  allowed  to  press  aside  the 
work  which  was  due  his  own  people  in  their  proper  organiza- 
tion, visitation  and  instruction.  Here  at  Newark,  as  elsewhere, 
the  spring  and  early  summer  were  devoted  to  regular  pastoral 
calls,  to  the  formation  of  such  helps  as  would  facilitate  his  own 
usefulness  and  develop  the  talents  and  graces  of  the  mem- 


AN    INDICATION    OF    IMMORTALITY.  409 

bers  of  the  Church  and  congregation.  The  mention  of  "  The 
Pastor's  Aid  Society"  affords  evidence  of  his  quickness  to  utilize 
the  female  element  of  the  Church  wherever  he  went.  He  be- 
lieved in  woman's  work  for  the  Church  and  for  humanity ;  and 
as  a  minister  was  always  successful  in  winning  the  affections 
and  confidence  of  the  ladies  of  the  Church,  and  organizing 
them  for  high  and  beneficent  ends.  Ere  midsummer  the  Cen- 
tral Church  was  alive  with  religious  activity.  The  whole  mem- 
bership had  caught  a  spark  from  the  heart  of  the  living,  work- 
ing pastor. 

Before  following  the  devoted  pastor  upon  his  last  great  sum- 
mer tour  of  evangelistic  labor,  I  give  some  letters  which  relate 
more  especially  to  his  Church. 

To  Mrs.  Stevens,  of  Wilmington,  Delaware  : 

"NEWARK,  NEW  JERSEY,  June  i,  1871. 

"  What  a  good  long  letter  you  penned  for  our  enjoyment !  We  read  and 
re-read  it,  appreciating  and  thankful  for  your  allusions  to  all  the  little  mat- 
ters that  we  are  concerned  to  know.  Thanks — a  thousand  thanks !  We 
sincerely  hope  that  your  dear  friendship  will  arrange  at  an  early  day  anoth- 
er entertainment  of  the  same  sort ;  nor  need  you  fear  to  oppress  or  cloy  us 
with  the  variety  and  amount  of  the  provisions.  We  have  a  wonderful  ap- 
petite and  an  amazing  capacity  in  this  direction.  Is  not  our  unwillingness 
to  be  forgotten  one  of  the  indications  of  our  immortality  ?  I  will  not,  then, 
conclude  that  my  pleasure  in  learning  that  my  friends  still  hold  me  in  affec- 
tionate remembrance  was  a  proof  of  lingering  selfishness,  so  developing  de- 
pravity, but  rather  the  expression  of  that  nobler  nature  with  which  the  Di- 
vinity has  been  pleased  to  invest  me. 

"  Tell  Jennie  I  thank  God  for  her  loving  appreciation,  and  the  very  beau- 
tiful but  undeserved  expression  of  that  appreciation  that  you  quote  in  your 
letter.  For  yourself  and  your  dear  children  I  shall  always  entertain  a  more 
than  ordinary  interest  and  affection.  It  was  a  common  joy  to  welcome  you 
one  after  the  other  to  the  fellowship  of  Christ's  Church ;  to  see  you  sitting 
together  a  united  and  happy  family  at  the  Master's  feet ;  to  observe  your 
development  in  Christian  character  and  life;  to  share,  as  we  so  frequently 
have,  the  communications  of  infinite  love  and  blessing.  Truly,  I  have  tasted 
your  varied  experiences,  weeping  with  you  when  you  have  wept,  rejoicing 
with  you  when  you  have  rejoiced. 

s 


410  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  The  past  furnishes  an  easy  explanation  of  our  common  sympathies  and 
deep,  warm,  Christian  love.  It  was  inspiring  to  learn  that,  led  by  the  Spirit, 
you  are  going  on  from  strength  to  strength.  This  strength,  as  it  is  the  in- 
working  of  the  divine,  is  so  blessed,  for  it  prepares  us  to  comprehend,  with 
all  saints,  the  height  and  depth,  and  length  and  breadth,  and  to  know  the 
love  of  God  that  passeth  knowledge,  that  we  may  be  filled  with  all  the  full- 
ness of  God.  You  are  a  trusting  child  in  the  arms  of  the  Infinite,  and  lie 
proposes  to  carry  you  higher  and  higher  forever  and  ever — new  treasures 
of  knowledge — new  realizations  of  joy — new  experiences  of  love — more  and 
more  and  more  of  God  as  long  as  eternal  ages  roll. 

"  Oh,  how  we  should  adore  that  grace  that  has  made  its  -willing  in  the  day 
of  His  power !  We  meet  with  so  many  that  seem  entirely  blind  and  deaf 
and  insensible  respecting  the  possibilities  of  their  spiritual  being.  They  do 
not  see,  do  not  want  to  see — aye,  it  seems  impossible  to  make  them  see 
the  things  that  belong  to  their  peace,  and  link  themselves  with  their  char- 
acter and  destiny.  Is  it  not  an  occasion  of  unutterable  thankfulness  that  the 
great  Healer  has  said  to  us  Ephphaiha,  and  our  eyes  are  opened — we  see 
Jesus ;  and  in  and  through  Jesus  a  vista  of  privilege  that  invites  and  satis- 
fies, and  opens  in  constantly  increasing  expectation  forever  and  ever  ? 

"  You  have  learned  through  others  that  we  are  pleasantly  situated  in  our 
new  field  of  labor.  Our  church,  a  Gothic  structure,  is  about  twenty  years 
old.  The  audience-room,  beautifully  proportioned,  is  perhaps  a  little  dark. 
It  has  an  organ-gallery  and  side  galleries.  The  light  in  the  evening  is  fur- 
nished by  gas  jets,  that  flame  like  a  crown  of  glory  around  the  capitals  of 
the  several  pillars  that  support  the  galleries  and  ceiling.  The  effect  is  fine. 
Our  congregations  are  good — not  crowded.  The  church  never  has  been 
popularized.  The  lower  floor  is  generally  well  filled,  and  a  fair  sprinkling 
through  the  galleries.  The  friends  here  arc  delighted  with  the  attendance 
— say  it  is  double  the  number  they  have  been  accustomed  to  see.  I  preach 
to  more  people  in  Newark  than  I  did  in  Wilmington.  God  has  been  very 
good  to  me  in  my  pulpit  ministrations.  He  has  vouchsafed  His  own  light 
and  love  and  power,  and  I  think  I  have  never  had  greater  or  more  continu- 
ous liberty  in  the  proclamation  of  His  truth.  My  people  are  very  pleasant, 
greatly  attached  to  their  Church,  united  among  themselves — no  parties,  no 
rivalries,  no  bickerings,  very  little  if  any  of  aristocratic  feeling.  As  a  mem- 
bership, they  are  not  very  spiritual.  I  am  thankful,  however,  to  report 
marked  progress  already.  Our  general  prayer-meeting,  held  on  Tuesday 
evening  in  the  chapel,  is  largely  attended,  and  richly  enjoyed  by  all  present. 
The  singing  is  spirited  and  general,  and  you  may  be  sure  that  the  '  precious 
blood'  is  not  left  out.  The  prayers  are  growing  in  earnestness  and  faith, 


VISIT   TO   WILMINGTON.  41! 

and  again  and  again  there  has  been  the  descent  of  the  refreshing  cloud  of 
the  divine  presence  and  glory.  There  are  a  few  earnest  women  who  are 
walking  clearly  in  the  light  of  full  salvation.  For  my  inspiration  they  are 

more  than  all  the  rest  of  the  membership.     One  of  them,  a  Sister  F ,  is 

a  strong,  wise,  established,  and  useful  disciple.  She  holds  a  meeting  at  her 
own  home  that  has  for  many  years  been  a  fountain  of  blessing.  We  are 
lacking  in  the  young  element — not  many  young  men.  Perhaps,  however,  in 
answer  to  prayer,  God  will  turn  the  hearts  of  this  class  toward  our  Church. 
If  so,  this  great  need  will  be  met. 

"  Now  they  are  calling  me,  and  I  must  close  my  letter.  It  supplies  a  con- 
trast to  your  epistle,  that  was  so  full  of  news  and  deeply  interesting.  You 
will,  however,  accept  it  as  the  overflow  of  a  fraternal  heart.  I  have  written 
very  little  of  what  I  intended  to  write." 

To  Mrs.  Lewis,  of  Ohio : 

"NEWARK,  NEW  JERSEY,  July  3,  1871. 

"  Excuse  my  lead-pencil.  For  a  week  past  I  have  been  suffering  from  a 
torpid  liver,  and,  spending  a  good  part  of  my  time  in  a  recumbent  position, 
can  use  my  pencil  much  more  conveniently  than  my  pen. 

"  We  received  with  special  thankfulness  and  joy  your  most  welcome  let- 
ter. We  read  it  over  and  over,  magnifying  that  grace  which  the  Heavenly 
Father  causes  to  abound  toward  you.  Truly  you  are  one  of  His  dear  chil- 
dren, to  whom  He  makes  special  revelations  of  His  truth  and  His  love. 

"  Week  before  last  Annie  and  I  visited  Wilmington.  We  remained  two 
days,  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  enjoying  the  society  of  our  friends,  and  at- 
tending the  commencement  exercises  of  the  Female  College. 

"  Our  former  parishioners,  and  indeed  all  we  met,  were  affectionate  be- 
yond description. 

"On  Wednesday  afternoon  we  were  associated  with  the  H.'s,  II.'s,  M.'s, 
etc.,  in  the  meeting  for  the  promotion  of  holiness.  It  was  an  occasion  of 
great  interest  and  blessing.  The  service  is  held  now  in  St.  Paul's  Method- 
ist Church,  and  led  by  its  pastor,  a  gentle  and  good  man.  I  am  sorry  to 
report  that  the  attendance  is  not  as  good  as  formerly,  but  the  little  band  are 
holding  on  and  growing  up  into  Christ.  We  met  this  precious  circle  socially 
again  and  again,  and  realized  that  we  were  antedating  one  of  the  blessed  en- 
joyments of  Heaven.  You  were  alluded  to  by  one  and  another  most  affec- 
tionately. For  nearly  two  months  our  friend,  William  G ,  had  been  ab- 
sent in  the  West,  which  is  probably  the  reason  why  you  did  not  see  more  of 
them  previous  to  your  departure  from  Philadelphia. 

"  As  I  passed  through  Philadelphia  on  Friday,  I  seized  the  opportunity 


412  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

to  be  present  at  the  Friday-afternoon  meeting,  held  that  day  in  the  Fifth 
Street  Church.  The  body  of  the  house  was  filled ;  there  must  have  been 
four  hundred  or  five  hundred  persons  present.  Brothers  Thomson,  Gray, 
Masden,  Meredith,  Pepper,  Lawrence,  Stockton,  etc.,  were  in  their  places. 
There  was  not  very  much  speaking,  as  friends  were  invited  to  the  altar — but 
it  was  a  meeting  of  blessed  impression  and  wonderful  influence. 

"  The  friends  are  beginning  to  turn  their  faces  toward  Round  Lake.  On 

Friday  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  M ,  and  Mrs.  William  G ,  Miss  N ,  etc., 

passed  through  here  en  route.  Mrs.  Cookman  thinks  that  she  can  not 
leave  her  baby  for  so  long  a  time — but,  Providence  permitting,  she  will 
follow  us,  and  spend  two  or  three  days  on  the  ground.  I  am  scarcely  in 
condition  to  leave  home,  but  am  hoping  that  the  change  of  air,  with  the  use 
of  Saratoga,  may  tone  up  my  enfeebled  energies. 

"  Your  baby  boy  is  one  of  the  sweetest  objects  outside  of  Heaven.  We 
constantly  fear  we  love  him  too  much.  This  time  last  year  you  were  the 
good  Samaritan  of  our  domestic  life.  Your  loving  services  will  feed  the 
flame  of  our  thankfulness  through  life,  and  have  endeared  you  to  our  hearts 
as  a  specially  beloved  sister.  May  God  continue  to  bless  you,  and  make 
you  in  the  West,  as  in  the  East,  an  immense  blessing  to  others.  As  I  think 
of  yourself  and  Homer,  I  feel  as  if  I  would  like  to  bring  you  nearer,  and  live 
in  your  society  forever  ;  but,  thank  God,  this  is  our  hope.  Probationary  life 
is  only  a  brief  episode  and  will  soon  be  over ;  then  we  shall  sit  down  to- 
gether in  the  everlasting  home.  Excuse  haste — tender  love  to  your  dear 
husband.  Write  whenever  you  can." 

Reference  has  been  already  seen  in  Mr.  Cookman's  corre- 
spondence to  Ocean  Grove  camp-ground.  He  had  become  so 
charmed  with  the  spot  as  to  buy  a  lot  there,  building  a  cottage 
upon  it  for  the  accommodation  of  his  family.  He  was  particu- 
larly fond  of  the  sea-side.  As  with  his  father,  so  with  him,  the 
ocean  possessed  a  great  attraction — he  could  sit  by  the  hour 
and  look  out  upon  its  restless  life,  and  commune  with  its  never- 
ceasing  music.  His  highest  physical  spirits  were  excited  when 
he  was  laved  by  its  waves  or  walked  amid  its  breezes.  A  plunge 
in  "old  salt,"  a  stroll  by  the  sea-shore,  was  enough  almost  any 
season  to  dissipate  the  ennui  of  overtasked  nerves,  or  the  weari- 
ness induced  by  the  exhausting  heats  of  the  crowded  city.  He 
was  only  too  glad  to  avail  himself  of  the  capital  opportunity 


THE  CAMP-MEETING  AS   A  SUMMER   RESORT.  413 

which  the  Ocean  Grove  Association  afforded  of  uniting  a  sum- 
mer residence  with  the  facilities  of  religious  culture  upon  the 
sea-side,  under  conditions  which  would  be  free  from  the  objec- 
tions of  ordinary  fashionable  watering-places.  The  modern  in- 
novation of  combining  the  social  element  of  the  family  life  and 
the  devotional  element  of  religious  worship  in  the  camp-meet- 
ing was  pleasing  to  him,  as  meeting  not  only  his  own  want,  but 
also  a  want  which  he  believed  to  be  quite  generally  felt  among 
Christian  people.  Some  such  resorts  had  long  been  needed, 
where  healthful  air  and  innocent  pastimes  could  be  had,  with 
cheapness,  plainness,  and  sobriety,  associated  with  such  relig- 
ious exercises  as  tend  to  keep  alive  the  pious  habits  and  senti- 
ments of  the  home  left  behind;  where  the  moral  feelings  of 
those  who  prefer  the  stricter  virtues  will  not  be  constantly 
shocked  with  customs  which  are  a  violence  to  good  taste,  to 
say  nothing  of  sound  morality  and  vital  religion ;  and  where 
people  can  be  practically  taught  the  union  which  should  always 
subsist  between  social  and  spiritual  enjoyments. 

The  first  notable  example  of  this  peculiar  feature  of  the  camp- 
meeting  was  set  by  the  company  owning  the  Wesleyan  Grove 
Camp -ground,  on  Martha's  Vineyard  Island,  Massachusetts. 
From  rude  beginnings  the  Martha's  Vineyard  Camp -meeting 
has  grown  until  it  has  become  a  vast  watering-place,  with  ad- 
ditional grounds  adjoining  under  different  companies.  Whole 
villages  of  cottages  have  been  erected,  many  of  them  at  much 
cost,  with  all  the  devices  which  necessity  and  taste  can  suggest. 
It  is  not  an  uncommon  thing  for  families  from  remote  parts  of 
the  country,  and  of  all  the  different  religious  denominations,  to 
go  thither  early  in  the  warm  season,  and  to  remain  till  autumn. 
The  success  of  Martha's  Vineyard  has  caused  similar  efforts  in 
various  sections,  both  on  the  sea-coast  and  inland,  within  the 
past  few  years.  Prominent  among  them  is  Ocean  Grove,  New 
Jersey.  Mr.  Cookman  was  greatly  pleased  with  its  success ;  he 
prized  highly  the  moments  he  was  able  to  spend  there  in  the 


414  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

summer  of  1871,  and  those  persons  who  had  the  happiness  to 
be  with  him  through  those  brief  days  will  long  cherish  the 
memory  of  his  personal  and  ministerial  influence  as  among  the 
most  pleasant  of  their  lives. 

The  first  trumpet  of  the  summer's  campaign  summoned  Mr. 
Cookman  to  the  sixth  National  camp-meeting  at  Round  Lake. 
Thither  the  hosts  of  the  higher  life  were  moving ;  the  prospect 
was  for  an  immense  meeting,  and  the  responsibility  of  the  Na- 
tional Committee  was  correspondingly  great;  it  was  felt  that 
none  of  the  active  members  could  be  spared,  least  of  all  the 
man  whose  modest  presence,  wise  counsels,  persuasive  speech, 
and  holy  character  constituted  him  to  the  cause  a  tower  of 
strength.  He  was  not  well ;  to  his  rather  enfeebled  body  and 
worn  mind  it  would  have  been  delicious  to  go  at  once  to  the 
sea-side — but  no ;  among  the  promptest  to  start  for  and  reach 
Round  Lake  was  Mr.  Cookman.  Though  young  in  years  he 
was  a  veteran  in  service,  and  as  the  war-horse  snuffeth  the  battle 
afar,  and  in  the  first  noise  of  the  tumult  forgets  his  stiffened 
joints,  so  this  our  hero  of  a  hundred  victories,  with  the  first  step 
upon  the  field  of  contest,  with  the  first  notes  of  God's  Israel 
preparing  for  the  charge,  forgot  all  his  wounds  and  weariness, 
and  from  beginning  to  end  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  him- 
self farthest  on  to  the  front,  where  the  battle  raged  the  fiercest 
— here,  there,  every  where — personally  contending,  and  by  his 
voice  and  example  cheering  on  the  soldiers  of  the  cross.  When 
the  conflict  had  closed,  the  smoke  had  rolled  away,  the  field 
was  won,  and  the  day  pronounced  glorious  in  the  annals  of 
holiness,  no  heart  was  more  serenely  happy  than  Mr.  Cook- 
man's.  His  wounds,  however,  were  seen  to  bleed  afresh.  His 
natural  force  had  abated — the  elastic  spring,  the  gay,  buoyant 
carriage  was  perceptibly  broken,  and  the  beginning  of  the  end 
was  at  hand.  But  other  battles  were  still  to  be  fought,  and 
further  victories  to  be  won. 


SIXTH   NATIONAL   CAMP-MEETING.  415 

Some  account  of  the  Round  Lake  meeting,  and  Mr.  Cook- 
man's  connection  with  it,  is  appropriate  : 

"  This  meeting  opened  in  the  beautiful  grove  of  Round  Lake,  in  Saratoga 
County,  New  York,  on  the  morning  of  the  glorious  Fourth.  The  National 
Camp-meeting  Committee,  in  full  attendance,  at  once  set  about  the  usual 
services  of  the  occasion,  a  congregation  of  several  thousands  having  already 
arrived.  After  the  experience  of  the  former  gathering  in  this  place,  two 
years  ago,  the  committee  had  provided  still  more  abundantly  for  the  large 
demands  probably  to  be  made  upon  them.  But  they  soon  found  that  their 
largest  provisions  were  too  small  to  meet  the  increased  numbers  that  came 
up.  Over  a  hundred  ministers  were  on  the  ground  on  the  day  of  opening, 
and  every  additional  train  of  cars  brings  new  arrivals. 

********* 

"  It  is  observable  that,  while  the  meeting  is  held  to  the  one  idea  of  holi- 
ness, that  idea  is  not  narrowed  down  to  a  technicality,  but  is  made  as  broad 
as  God's  promises,  and  as  extensive  as  every  sinner's  need.  So  the  awak- 
ening and  conversion  of  sinners  is  sought  and  witnessed  simultaneously  with 
all  the  work  of  grace. 

"  Among  the  most  efficient  means  of  grace  observed  is  silent  prayer.  The 
effect  of  the  awful  stillness  which  sometimes  prevails,  when  these  seasons 
are  called  for  in  the  midst  of  an  exciting  meeting,  can  hardly  be  imagined. 
The  value  of  these  soul-hushings  is  observable  in  the  calm,  still  sense  of 
power  which  succeeds  them. 

"  There  is  great  catholicity  of  feeling  prevailing — Baptist  and  Methodist, 
Quaker  and  Episcopalian,  Congregationalist  and  Presbyterian,  sitting  to- 
gether '  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus,'  without  any  friction  of  sectari- 
anism. 

"  The  Sabbath  has  passed — and  such  a  Sabbath  !  Earthly  history  can 
not  often  repeat  such  days.  Its  dawn  was  beautiful,  but  ushered  in  with 
gentle  rain,  which,  however,  only  freshened  the  scene,  and  by  no  means 
dampened  the  ardor  of  the  worshipers. 

"  The  morning  prayer-meeting,  at  five  o'clock,  was  crowded  to  overflow- 
ing from  the  commencement,  and  for  two  hours  the  vast  multitude  maintain- 
ed an  unceasing  strain  of  worship. 

"  The  attendance  on  this  day  largely  outnumbered  that  at  the  great  meet- 
ing in  this  place  two  years  ago ;  and  although  by  five  o'clock  in  the  morning 
the  vehicles  came  in  from  every  direction,  and  by  nine  o'clock  covered  many 
acres  of  ground,  there  was  no  more  confusion  and  disorder  than  on  an  ordi- 
nary Sabbath  at  home.  The  love-feast  in  the  big  tent  was  one  of  those  sea- 
sons to  be  witnessed  only  occasionally,  even  in  camp-meetings.  During  the 


4l6  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

time  of  the  meeting,  nearly  four  hundred  persons  rose  on  their  feet  and  tes- 
tified tersely,  but  clearly,  to  the  grace  of  God  in  them — many  of  them  cases 
of  recent  renewals,  and  many  more  of  recent  conversion.  The  sermons  of 
the  day  were  in  harmony  with  the  one  idea  of '  holiness,'  but  had  little  of  the 
technicality  and  dogmatic  separateness  which  has  sometimes  been  charged 
upon  these  good  brethren.  The  style  of  preaching  throughout  has  been 
purely  expository  and  eminently  practical.  Rev.  J.  S.  Inskip  occupied  the 
pulpit  in  the  tent  in  the  morning,  while  at  the  stand,  in  spite  of  the  rain,  a 
mass-meeting  for  prayer  and  praise  was  improvised.  At  the  same  hour,  va- 
rious services  were  conducted  in  the  tents. 

"  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman  preached  in  the  afternoon  to  one  of  the  largest 
and  most  attentive  audiences  that  a  camp-meeting  ever  saw. 

"  But  to  speak  of  preaching  gives  but  little  idea  of  the  great  work  of  sal- 
vation which  spread  like  a  sheet  of  flame  through  all  the  ground.  In  the 
tents,  at  the  street  corners,  by  the  wayside,  every  where,  the  great  work  of 
personal  labor  for  the  conversion  of  sinners  and  the  sanctification  of  believ- 
ers went  on.  It  seemed  a  verification  of  the  promise,  '  It  shall  come  to  pass 
in  the  last  days,  saith  the  Lord,  I  will  pour  out  my  Spirit  upon  your  sons 
and  upon  your  daughters,  and  they  shall  prophesy,'  etc.,  might  be  met  every 
where. 

"  There  a  lady  steps  out  of  the  door  of  her  tent,  and  enchains  the  passers- 
by  with  the  story  of  the  cross ;  a  moment  later,  and  precious  souls  are 
bowing  near  her,  and  asking  her  to  pray  for  them.  In  that  tent  are  a 
group  of  ladies,  whose  song  and  fervent  speech  bring  the  prayerless  and 
careless  to  the  feet  of  Jesus  ;  while  for  hours,  at  the  fountain  in  the  princi- 
pal square,  an  improvised  'altar'  is  crowded  with  'seeking  souls.'  The 
meeting  is  led  chiefly  by  the  zealous  missionary  of  the  Water  Street  move- 
ment and  Pastor  Hedstrom.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  God's  great  work  of  soul- 
saving  is  mightily  displayed ;  and  whatever  '  one  idea  '  may  be  meant,  it  has 
grown  into  a  most  comprehensive  idea  of  becoming  all  things  to  all  men, 
that  men  may  be  saved." 

The  special  correspondent  of  The  Troy  Daily  Times,  in  a  let- 
ter of  July  8th,  claimed  there  were  10,000  people  on  the  ground 
on  the  Sabbath.  Describing  Mr.  Cookman's  sermon,  he  wrote  : 

"At  two  P.M.  Rev.  A.  Cookman,  of  the  Newark  Conference,  preached 
from  Philippians,  third  chapter,  fourteenth  verse — '  I  press  toward  the  mark 
of  the  prize  of  my  high  calling.'  The  speaker  claimed  that  St.  Paul  was  a 
man  of  one  idea,  but  that  idea  was  complete  in  itself.  If  he  made  tents,  that 
was  but  a  part  of  his  religion.  His  preaching  was  tributary  to  his  idea  of 


THE   SUPREME   CENTRE   OF   BLISS.  417 

holy  living.  He  defined  the  mark  of  the  prize  as  the  Bible  standard  of 
Christian  excellence,  and  spoke  of  the  evil  of  a  wrong  standard.  He  spoke 
beautifully  of  the  prize  itself  in  the  final  glorification  of  soul  and  body  in  the 
likeness  of  Christ.  It  is  hard  to  do  justice  to  the  discourse,  which,  with  the 
happy  manner  of  its  delivery,  made  a  deep  impression." 

A  person  who  was  present  at  the  love-feast  referred  to,  noted 
at  the  time  the  experience  of  Mr.  Cookman  on  the  occasion. 
It  was  in  substance  as  follows : 

"  When  you  were  singing  of  the  cross  a  few  minutes  since,  I  thought  that 
I  had  drawn  a  circle  around  the  cross,  and  *  *  *  Jesus  has  lifted  me  up 
from  the  foot  of  the  cross,  and  has  given  me  a  home  in  His  heart.  I  am 
dwelling  in  the  supreme  centre  of  bliss." 

At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  in  company  with  his  sister,  Miss 
Mary  Cookman,  and  a  few  friends,  he  visited  Saratoga  Springs. 
Although  extremely  exhausted  from  the  labors  of  the  meeting, 
and  feeling  almost  disabled,  yet  nothing  could  exceed  his  cheer- 
fulness on  that  day..  His  spirits  bubbled  like  the  perpetual 
health-giving  springs,  the  waters  of  which  they  drank.  His 
companions  had  never  known  him  more  playful — he  seemed 
literally  carried  away  with  the  delights  of  nature  and  the  loving 
companionship  of  the  hour.  "  With  a  home  in  the  heart  of 
Jesus,  dwelling  in  the  supreme  centre  of  bliss,"  happiness,  nat- 
ural and  spiritual,  was  to  him  but  the  spontaneous  effusion  of 
the  soul,  what  the  bird's  song  is  to  the  bird. 

Immediately  upon  his  return  from  Round  Lake  he  took  his 
family  to  Ocean  Grove.  It  was  evident  to  all  that  his  health 
was  much  impaired,  but  it  was  hoped  that  the  invigorating  sea 
air  and  sea  bathing,  with  the  quiet  of  the  place,  would  soon  re- 
store him  to  his  usual  strength.  In  all  likelihood  this  would 
have  been  the  effect,  had  he  remained  during  the  season  thus 
in  repose,  desisting  from  the  extreme  labors  and  excitements 
of  successive  camp-meetings.  It  was  expected  by  his  friends 
that  he  would  do  so — some  of  them  urged  its  necessity  upon 
him — but,  despite  all  remonstrances,  the  earnest  persuasions  of 

S  2 


41 8  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

his  wife  and  kindred,  he  could  not  be  constrained  to  rest.  The 
fact  is,  he  did  not  know  how  to  rest ;  it  was  a  lesson  he  had 
never  needed  to  learn  hitherto,  and  now  it  was  exceedingly  dif- 
ficult for  him  to  begin  it.  For  ardent,  healthful  natures,  accus- 
tomed to  action,  nothing  is  harder  than  enforced  passivity — the 
quiescence  which  is  obliged  by  incapacity  or  indispensable  to 
recuperation.  The  mind,  like  any  material  body  when  under 
strong  headway,  can  not  be  suddenly  stopped  in  its  course  with- 
out a  violent  interruption  of  the  laws  of  its  being.  The  mind, 
no  more  than  the  material  body,  will  stop  of  itself.  At  least  it 
is  not  natural  for  it  to  do  so ;  and,  if  stopped,  it  is  only  in  obe- 
dience to  outside  force.  If  Mr.  Cookman  had  foreseen  the  prob- 
able consequences  of  unintermitted  work  through  the  summer, 
it  is  doubtful  if  he  would  have  persisted  in  his  purpose — as  he 
had  never  had  cause  before  to  take  care  of  himself,  he  could 
not  now  feel  the  necessity  of  it,  nor  fully  appreciate  the  fears  of 
his  friends.  The  habit  of  "  campaigning  "  was  strong  upon  him. 
The  second  National  camp-meeting  for  the  season  had  begun 
at  Urbana,  Ohio ;  the  brethren  of  the  committee  were  there, 
and  how  could  he  stay  away  in  ease,  while  they  were  at  work 
and  needed  him  ?  "  Oh,  Alfred  !"  said  his  wife,  in  tears — and 
she  knew  better  than  any  one  else  how  sick  he  really  was — 
"you  will  not  go  to  Urbana?"  "My  dear,"  he  replied,  "it  is 
God's  will."  When  he  arrived  at  Urbana,  the  members  of  the 
committee  were  surprised  but  extremely  gratified  to  see  him. 
Their  feelings  are  well  expressed  in  an  extract  from  a  letter  of 
the  Rev.  L.  R.  Dunn,  of  the  Newark  Conference  : 

"  At  our  last  meeting  on  the  Round  Lake  camp-ground  he  was  ill,  really 
unable  to  do  any  work  ;  and  yet  such  was  his  burning  zeal  for  Christ  that 
he  could  not  keep  still,  but  preached,  prayed,  and  labored  very  far  beyond 
the  limit  which  prudence  would  have  prescribed.  Our  next  engagement 
was  at  Urbana,  and  none  of  our  committee  imagined  that  he  would  venture 
logo  there.  But  greatly  to  our  pleasure  and  our  surprise  he  came  on  quite 
early  in  the  meeting,  and  preached  twice  during  its  continuance,  with  a  pa- 


NATIONAL  CAMP-MEETING  AT   URBAN  A.  419 

thos  and  power  which  I  imagine  he  had  never  exhibited  before.  Thousands 
of  deathless  spirits  will  never  have  the  impressions  produced  by  those  ser- 
mons effaced." 

The  correspondent  of  The  Methodist,  writing  from  Urbana, 
says : 

"  This  meeting  commenced  on  Tuesday,  August  1st,  in  a  beautiful  grove 
about  two  miles  from  Urbana,  Ohio,  under  the  direction  of  the  National 
Camp-meeting  Association.  *  *  * 

"  The  venerable  Bishop  Morris  is  present,  and  receives  many  attentions, 
unobtrusive  and  delicate,  from  all  classes.  The  Bishop  attends  all  the  serv- 
ices, even  those  held  by  Mrs.  Inskip  for  the  benefit  of  the  children,  quite  a 
number  of  whom  have  professed  conversion.  It  is  really  affecting  to  see 
this  patriarch  and  honored  bishop  in  the  Church  sitting  in  company  with  the 
lambs  of  the  flock,  and  to  hear  his  voice  mingling  with  theirs  in  Sunday- 
school  hymns  and  choruses. 

"  Besides  the  regular  Sunday  services,  which  were  held  in  the  quadrangle, 
and  at  which  the  congregations  were  immense,  it  was  found  necessary  to 
have  preaching  at  the  tabernacle  both  morning  and  afternoon. 

"  The  Sunday-morning  National  love-feast  was  conducted  by  Alfred  Cook- 
man,  and  was  a  season  of  tremendous  power.  In  the  course  of  two  hours 
four  hundred  and  fifty  persons  spoke.  To  the  roll-call  of  the  states,  re- 
sponses were  made  from  Maine,  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  New  York, 
New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  West  Virginia, 
Georgia,  Louisiana,  Texas,  Missouri,  Kansas,  Iowa,  Michigan,  California, 
Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Minnesota,  and  Tennessee. 
This  may  well  be  called  a  '  National '  camp-meeting.  To  the  call  of  de- 
nominations, answers  were  given  by  representatives  of  the  Baptist,  Presby- 
terian, Quaker,  African  Zion,  and  other  churches. 

"  At  the  close  of  every  service  those  who  desire  to  enter  into  full  salva- 
tion are  urged  and  entreated  to  come  to  the  fountain  of  cleansing.  The 
most  genial  feeling  prevails  all  over  the  ground,  and  the  members  of  the 
committee  are  as  social  and  brotherly  toward  all  their  fellow-ministers  as 
their  arduous  duties  will  permit  them  to  be.  There  is  no  'exclusiveness' 
whatever — no  standing  apart  with  them ;  all  the  while  rather  a  desire  to 
have  their  brethren  '  come  in  and  share  the  feast'  This  remark  may  be 
the  more  valuable  to  many,  because  the  writer  of  this  paper  is  known  to 
be  identified  with  the  brethren  no  further  nor  more  intimately  than  in  the 
common  belief  of  the  Wesleyan  doctrine,  and  in  a  common  Methodist 
brotherhood." 


420  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Mr.  Cookman's  impressions  were  given  in  two  letters  to  his 
wife — the  last  he  ever  wrote  her. 

To  his  wife : 

"  URBANA  CAMP-GROUND,  Friday  afternoon,  1871. 

"  I  hasten  to  redeem  my  promise,  and  acquaint  you  with  our  safe  arrival 
at  our  destination.  We  left  Philadelphia  yesterday  in  the  12.40  train,  and 
without  accident  or  detention  proceeded  on  our  journey.  It  was  a  consid- 
erable tax ;  but  the  Lord  strengthened  me,  for  He  knew  that  my  motive  to 
do  His  will  was  very  pure.  I  rested  rather  than  slept  in  my  berth  ;  enjoyed 
my  supper  at  Altoona  and  my  breakfast  at  Columbus.  Arriving  here, 
a  most  cordial  welcome  awaited  me.  The  K.'s,  H.'s,  etc.,  are  delighted 
to  see  their  Methodist  preacher  cousin.  A  number  are  here  from  Phila- 
delphia. The  committee  are  rather  feeble-handed.  Wells  has  gone  home. 
Inskip  is  better,  but  is  obliged  to  use  great  care ;  he  really  needs  rest.  Gray 
is  on  the  sick-list,  so  that  it  is  well  that  I  came  with  my  superabundance  of 
physical  power  to  supply  deficiencies.  The  weather  here  has  been  very  show- 
ery, interrupting  the  services  in  the  open  air.  Gray,  Wells,  Dunn,  and  Gil- 
lett  have  preached.  There  is  a  great  deal  of  indifference,  not  to  say  antag- 
onism, in  the  minds  of  many  of  the  preachers  and  people.  The  meeting  is 
not  as  large  as  many  thought  it  would  be — something  less  than  three  hun- 
dred tents.  Our  trust,  however,  is  in  the  Lord  who  made  heaven  and  earth, 
and  we  feel  confident  of  victory.  I  am  meeting  friends  on  every  side,  who 
express  great  pleasure  in  seeing  me  under  these  circumstances.  I  am  not 
any  worse  for  my  long  travel ;  feel  a  little  oppressed  with  the  heat  Re- 
becca and  her  friend  are  nicely  situated  in  a  snug  little  tent,  and  will  take 
good  care  of  me.  Be  careful  of  yourselves.  Make  that  cottage  before  I  re- 
turn '  a  thing  of  beauty  and  a  joy  forever.'  Let  me  hear  from  you  very  often. 
Kisses  for  my  dear  children  ;  love  for  my  many  friends." 

To  his  wife : 

"URBANA  CAMP-GROUND,  Saturday  afternoon,  August,  1871. 
"  Our  meeting  progresses  with  constantly  developing  interest.  Every 
service  is  a  signal  success,  and  it  looks  now  like  a  sweeping  victory.  This 
afternoon  I  preached  to  a  large  and  most  attentive  congregation  from  the 
text, '  Be  ye  holy.'  God  graciously  strengthened  and  helped  me,  and  my 
friends  say  I  never  had  a  better  time.  Since  the  sermon  I  am  a  little  pros- 
trated, and  my  legs  stiffen  up  ;  but  I  am  getting  along  gloriously.  Sincerely, 
I  have  not  been  as  well  for  five  weeks.  Last  night  I  slept  on  a  lounge  in 
uncle  John  K.'s  cottage,  and  put  in  a  night  of  refreshing  sleep.  Our  Ohio 
relatives  are  as  kind  as  they  can  be.  Rebecca  watches  over  and  provides 


PERSONAL  INFLUENCE  AT  URBANA.          421 

for  me  with  the  attention  and  love  of  a  dear  sister.  The  table  at  which  we 
board  is  luxurious — never  knew  any  thing  at  camp-meeting  to  approach  it 
in  excellence — tastefully  spread,  admirably  served,  and  then  such  a  variety 
of  food.  To-day  for  dinner,  roast  chicken,  chicken  pot-pie,  beef,  lamb,  ham, 
every  kind  of  vegetables,  corn,  tomatoes,  cabbage,  beans,  etc.,  etc.,  and  then 
very  nice  pie  and  watermelon  for  dessert. 

"  To-morrow  will  be  the  Sabbath.  I  conduct  the  love-feast  in  the  morn- 
ing, Brother  Inskip  at  ten,  McDonald  in  the  afternoon,  and  Dunn  at  night. 
There  will  probably  be  twenty  thousand  people  on  the  ground.  My  own 
soul  is  being  enriched.  I  want  to  bring  home  a  double  portion  of  the 
Spirit,  and  so  be  furnished  for  a  blessed  and  successful  campaign  this  au- 
tumn. There  has  been  a  good  deal  of  rain  here  during  the  last  few  days. 
This  tempers  the  atmosphere  and  keeps  down  the  dust.  And  now  I  must 
close  my  note.  The  forces  are  gathering  for  a  night  battle.  Oh,  for  salva- 
tion in  floods  !  I  will  not  probably  get  back  home  before  Saturday  night. 
And  now  good-bye.  The  Lord  bless  and  watch  over  you.  Kisses  for  my 
children,  love  for  my  friends,  and  believe  me  your  devoted  husband." 

The  indifference  and  antagonism  in  the  minds  of  many  of 
the  preachers,  if  it  existed,  fast  disappeared.  Long  before  the 
meeting  concluded  it  had  been  dissipated  as  mists  before  the 
sun.  No  man's  influence  contributed  more  to  this  than  that 
of  Alfred  Cookman.  While  his  associates  in  the  committee 
and  in  labor  won  good  opinions  on  all  sides,  there  seemed  a 
hallowed  power  about  him  which  drew  like  a  magnet  all  hearts 
to  him.  Not  only  his  sermons,  but  his  most  casual  utterances 
were  listened  to  as  from  an  oracle.  He  could  have  no  time  to 
himself.  His  instructions  were  privately  sought  by  the  intel- 
lectual and  the  wealthy  as  well  as  by  the  untutored  and  poor; 
indeed,  with  many  his  very  presence  was  coveted  as  imparting 
a  sanctity — his  least  look  of  recognition  was  regarded  a  bene- 
diction. The  whole  influence  of  the  man  was  the  expressed 
sweetness  of  a  nature  which  had  long  since  been  thoroughly 
imbued  with  divine  unction.  The  wisest  counsels,  the  most 
apt  illustrations,  the  most  sympathetic  expressions,  explaining 
the  way  of  holiness  to  the  inquiring  mind,  or  infusing  courage 
into  those  who  were  timid,  fell  from  his  lips  as  honey-dew  from 


422  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

the  leaves  of  the  trees.  As  the  people,  both  ministers  and  lay- 
men, gathered  about  him,  eager  to  catch  every  word,  and  won- 
dered at  the  strange  wisdom  and  unwonted  spell  of  his  talk, 
they  little  thought  that  he  was  talking  not  only  from  his  heart, 
but  was  talking  away  his  heart.  The  last  and  best  of  Alfred 
Cookman  was  condensing  itself  into  sentences  to  live  and  grow 
in  men's  minds  forever. 

A  prominent  minister  tells  us  :  "I  afterward  recalled  with 
great  tenderness  the  conversations  I  had  with  Rev.  Alfred 
Cookman,  and  the  precious  soul-rest  I  realized  when  I  vent- 
ured my  all  on  the  solid  rock  of  eternal  truth.  The  idea  that 
I  was  saved,  not  for  years  or  months  or  clays  to  come,  but  this 
moment  and  the  next,  by  trusting  in  and  looking  to  Jesus,  re- 
lieved my  mind  from  a  load  of  apprehension  about  the  future." 
On  the  last  evening  of  the  meeting,  as  very  many  of  the  hun- 
dreds on  the  ground  were  marching  around  the  inclosure  led 
by  some  of  the  National  Committee,  a  lady,  who  was  prejudiced 
against  the  custom,  said  she  must  join  them,  if  it  was  but 
to  shake  Mr.  Cookman  by  the  hand  once  more,  and  bid  him 
good-bye. 

I  quote  again  from  the  correspondence  of  The  Methodist  to 
show  how  completely  the  indifference  and  antagonism  of  the 
ministers  gave  way : 

"  It  is  impossible  to  tell  how  many  have  entered  into  '  the  rest  of  faith.' 
On  one  occasion  I  counted  forty  persons  at  the  altar  during  the  morning 
(eight  o'clock)  meeting.  This  was  soon  after  the  invitation  was  given.  Not 
less  than  as  many  more  were  down  before  the  meeting  was  closed.  I  no- 
ticed doctors  of  divinity,  professors  in  literary  institutions,  officers  of  the 
General  Conference,  men  of  wealth,  position,  and  power,  at  the  altar,  and  in 
deep  earnest  about  this  matter.  *  *  *  Not  the  least  interesting  meeting  is 
that  held  every  day  by  Mr.  Battcrshall,  a  layman  of  New  York,  for  business 
men.  It  is  very  largely  attended.  Meetings  for  the  Ohio  Conference  and 
the  Cincinnati  Conference  preachers  are  daily  held;  also  for  class-leaders 
and  Sunday-school  teachers;  also  for  women — this  is  conducted  by  Mrs. 
Inskip.  I  learned  that  the  preachers  of  the  Cincinnati  Conference,  at  one 


POWERFUL   SERMON   ON    HOLINESS.  423 

of  their  meetings,  unanimously  resolved  to  bury  all  differences,  and  go  home 
and  preach  a  full  and  present  salvation.  Some  forty  were  at  this  meeting, 
which  comprised  some  of  the  ablest  and  best  men  in  the  Conference." 

In  addition  to  what  has  been  already  said  of  Mr.  Cookman's 
preaching  at  this  meeting,  I  give  an  account  of  it  which  ap- 
peared in  one  of  the  Cincinnati  papers  shortly  afterward  : 

"  At  ten  o'clock  the  clang  of  the  bell  called  the  congregation  to  Church 
Square,  where  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman  delivered  another  of  those  grand  ser- 
mons that  are  rapidly  placing  him  in  the  front  rank  of  the  eloquent  and 
effective  pulpit  orators  of  the  Methodist  Church.  His  text  was  read  from 
Ephesians  v.,  18 — '  Be  ye  rilled  with  the  Spirit.'  The  preacher  said,  by 
way  of  introducing  his  subject,  that  on  an  occasion  like  this  it  would  be  su- 
perfluous to  employ  time  to  insist  on  the  personality  or  individuality  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  the  Third  Person  of  the  Trinity.  Unanimous  assent  to  that 
doctrine  may  be  taken  for  granted.  He  then  referred  briefly  to  the  various 
offices  of  the  Spirit,  as  contradistinguished  from  those  of  other  persons  of 
the  Trinity,  and  quoted  from  various  inspired  writers  to  establish  the  fact 
that  the  promise  of  the  Spirit's  presence  was  one  of  the  understood  guar- 
antees given  to  man  in  the  Scriptures.  When  the  Holy  Spirit  comes  to 
man  it  is  not  to  speak  of  Himself,  but  to  take  of  the  things  of  Christ  and 
show  them  unto  us.  The  Spirit  does  not  reveal  Himself,  but  reveals  the 
personality  and  presence  of  Christ.  This  explains  the  prominence  given  to 
Christ  in  all  effective  preaching  of  the  Gospel.  I  detract  not  an  iota  from 
the  merits  of  Christ.  I  am  not  surprised  to  hear  you  sing,  '  Oh,  how  I  love 
Jesus ;'  but  we  must  not  fail  to  recognize  that  it  is  our  glorious  privilege 
and  duty  to  speak  of,  pray  to,  live  in,  have  fellowship  with,  be  filled  by  the 
Holy  Spirit. 

"  The  effects  of  being  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit  are  developed  in  the 
consciousness,  character,  and  life  of  man.  Its  effects  on  man's  conscious- 
ness are  :  First,  the  soul  will  be  hallowed  in  thought,  feeling,  and  motive. 
Second,  the  soul  will  have  a  deep,  full,  and  abiding  experience  of  love — a 
valuable  and  beautiful  fount  of  the  very  nature  of  the  Spirit  himself.  Third, 
the  soul  will  have  the  realization  of  real  rest.  Antagonisms  will  be  allayed; 
antagonists  transformed  into  servitors.  The  soul  where  the  Spirit  makes 
His  home  will  be  made  a  perfect  home. 

"  In  character,  religion  aims  to  produce  perfection.  Character  in  its  high- 
est form  is  not  the  product  of  merely  human  agencies,  and  a  character  devel- 
oped by  the  Spirit's  operation  will  involve :  First,  holiness;  freedom  from 
littleness,  lowness,  or  vileness.  Second, gentleness;  no  agent  is  comparable 


424  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

with  the  Spirit  in  this  matter  of  gentleness,  and  gentleness  makes  man  great. 
Third,  wisdom;  this  is  pronounced  in  God's  Word;  God's  children  shall 
be  the  happiest,  best,  and  wisest  on  His  footstool.  In  personal  life  :  first, 
a  soul  filled  with  the  Spirit  supplies  the  impulses  of  an  earnest,  useful,  and 
valuable  life;  second,  it  will  supply  not  only  the  motive  power,  but  the  abil- 
ity to  accomplish;  third,  it  associates  with  the  words  and  labors  of  life  the 
unction  of  the  Holy  One. 

"  The  speaker  discussed  at  some  length  the  question,  What  is  unction  ? 
He  said :  '  It  is  that  subtle,  intangible,  irresistible  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  that  seals  instruction  upon  the  hearts  to  which  it  is  given.  It  is  not 
the  eloquent  men  of  this  world,  the  orators  of  great  occasions,  whose  words 
linger  longest  in  their  influence  upon  the  hearts  of  men.  The  unction  may 
oftentimes  be  rather  in  the  utterances  of  a  humble  disciple  than  in  the  de- 
livery of  a  powerful  sermon.  For  this  I  am  more  concerned  than  for  any 
thing  else.'  *  *  * 

"  His  clear,  ringing  voice  penetrated  to  the  remotest  bounds  of  the  great 
square,  and  under  the  influence  of  his  eloquence  men  stood  motionless  as 
statues.  The  hour  of  twelve  came,  and  the  gongs  and  dinner-bells  around 
the  inclosure  began  an  interruptive  clangor.  But  no  person  in  that  congre- 
gation could  have  been  tempted  away  by  an  epicurean  feast.  In  that  mo- 
ment there  was  food  for  the  moral  and  religious  nature  being  dispensed 
with  all  the  liberality  of  eloquence,  and  the  wants  of  physical  nature  were 
unheeded  in  these  appeals.  An  imperfect  report  would  utterly  mar  the 
beauty  of  the  speaker's  utterances,  and  a  perfect  report  would  fail  to  convey 
any  idea  of  the  glowing  eloquence  of  his  style,  and  the  telling  effect  of  his 
pathetic  appeals  to  men  and  women  to  '  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit.' 
Your  types  could  print  the  mere  words,  but  no  pen-power  that  I  know  of 
can  clothe  them  with  the  garb  of  oratory  in  which  they  trooped  forth  from 
the  speaker's  lips,  to  take  by  storm  the  stubborn  citadels  of  men's  hearts 
and  minds." 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE    LAST    CAMP-MEETINGS. FAILING    HEALTH. THE    LAST 

SERMON. 

WITH  the  camp-meeting  at  Urbana,  Mr.  Cookman's  public 
services  with  the  National  Committee  ceased.  Some  of  the 
committee,  during  the  same  season,  moved  farther  westward, 
and  held  meetings  in  a  large  tent  at  Topeka,  Kansas,  Salt  Lake 
City,  and  in  different  parts  of  California ;  but  he  was  not  able, 
for  want  of  time  and  strength,  to  accompany  them. 

The  effective  work  of  the  committee  at  Salt  Lake  was  thus 
graphically  described  in  The  Methodist  by  the  Rev.  T.  De  Witt 
Talmage  : 

"THE  BIG  TENT. 

"We  found  the  track  of  the  Methodist  tent  all  the  way  across  the  continent. 
Mormonism  never  received  such  a  shot  as  when,  with  Brigham  Young  and 
his  elders  present  in  the  tent,  the  party  of  wide-awake  Methodist  ministers 
preached  righteousness,  temperance,  and  judgment  to  come  in  great  Salt 
Lake  City.  The  effect  of  those  few  days  of  faithful  talking  will  never  be  for- 
gotten. Hardly  a  service  is  held  in  the  Mormon  Tabernacle  that  an  effort  is 
not  made  to  combat  the  sermons  of  the  itinerants.  On  the  two  occasions 
when  we  were  present  in  the  Tabernacle,  all  the  speakers  felt  called  upon 
to  answer  the  Big  Tent.  It  was  evident  that  the  monster  of  sin  had  been 
speared,  and  the  wound  rankled.  We  have  never  seen  the  brethren  of  that 
religious  storming-party,  but  we  hail  them  through  these  columns  for  the 
glorious  work  they  have  accomplished  in  Salt  Lake  City.  It  was  the  first 
gleam  of  light  that  some  of  the  bondmen  of  the  great  religious  despotism 
have  seen  for  many  a  year.  If  the  Methodists  had  stayed  a  few  days  longer, 
and  gone  around  the  walls  of  that  Jericho,  blowing  the  '  rams'  horns,'  I  do 
not  know  but  that  the  brazen  superstition  might  have  fallen  in  thunder 
and  wreck. 

"  Might  not  the  Christian  Church  of  all  denominations  learn  a  lesson  from 
this  religious  crusade  ?  Our  great  ammunition-wagons  are  so  clumsy  and 


426  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

our  big  guns  so  unwieldy  that  the  enemy  often  has  us  at  disadvantage.  I 
think  a  squad  of  flying  artillery  perhaps  might  go  forth  and  surround  the  foe. 
We  want  more  men  in  the  religious  world  with  the  bold  dash  that  Kilpatrick 
and  Stonewall  Jackson  had  in  the  military.  We  glorify  the  policy  of '  fight- 
ing it  out  on  one  line,  if  it  takes  all  summer,'  but  forget  what  a  little  Christian 
stratagem  did  when  Gideon's  three  hundred  men  flung  the  pitchers  and 
hoisted  the  lamps  !" 

Mr.  Cookman  sought  the  cottage  at  Ocean  Grove — but  not  to 
rest.  This  seemed  quite  impossible;  for  the  camp -meeting 
there  was  in  progress,  and,  being  pressed  to  preach,  he  could 
not  say  "  No."  He  tried  hard  to  obtain  a  substitute,  even  after 
he  had  consented  to  preach.  The  burden  of  the  service,  already 
great,  was  increased  by  the  unexpected  appearance  of  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  in  the  audience.  The  President  had 
come  down  from  his  cottage  at  Long  Branch  to  participate  in 
the  worship. 

"Among  the  listeners,  while  Rev.  A.  Cookman  was  preaching  this  morn- 
ing, was  General  Grant,  President  of  the  United  States,  and  his  lady-like  and 
pleasant-faced  wife.  They  walked  in  and  took  their  seats  together  on  one 
of  the  rough  boards.  The  threatening  aspect  of  the  weather,  and  a  pre- 
monitory sprinkle  of  rain,  admonished  our  distinguished  friends  to  seek  the 
shelter  of  their  carriage  before  the  services  were  formally  concluded.  This 
saved  the  President  from  such  a  hearty  hand-shaking  as  he  has  rarely  been 
subject  to.  With  many  of  the  ministers  and  prominent  laymen  present  he 
is  on  terms  of  intimacy,  and  much  regret  was  felt  that  he  could  not  remain 
all  day  in  the  atmosphere  of  prayer  and  praise.  Brother  Howland  extend- 
ed to  him  a  cordial  invitation  to  partake  of  a  camp-meeting  dinner  at  his 
spacious  tables,  and,  had  he  stayed  longer,  he  should  have  been  made  to  feel 
perfectly  at  home  among  the  tents,  some  of  which  did  service  in  the  armies 
he  once  commanded  on  the  James  River. 

"  Brother  Cookman  held  all  hearts  by  the  spell  of  his  eloquence  during 
the  presidential  visit,  and  finished  his  discourse  by  a  profoundly  solemn  sea- 
son of  prayer."* 

It  was  the  last  day  of  the  meeting  that  he  preached.  The 
effort  had  greatly  exhausted  his  strength,  but  far  into  the  last 

*  Correspondence  of  The  Methodist  Home  Journal. 


MARTHAS   VINEYARD. — LAST  CAMP-MEETING   SERMON.    427 

night  he  protracted  his  labors — singing,  praying,  talking,  ex- 
horting— until  his  wife,  extremely  anxious  for  his  welfare,  urged 
him  to  desist  and  retire.  "  Oh,  my  dear,"  said  he,  "  it  is  bless- 
ed !  it  is  blessed !"  Thus  standing,  shaking  hands  with  all, 
and  singing,  "  Oh,  bliss  of  the  purified !"  he  remained  while 
one  was  ready  to  remain  and  rejoice  with  him. 

This  was  not  enough:  whether  possessed  of  a  presentiment 
or  not  that  his  camp-meeting  career  would  be  soon  ended,  a 
restless  longing  seemed  to  fill  him  for  still  another  effort  on  his 
chosen  field.  The  fire  which  had  constrained  the  seraphic  Isaiah 
to  cry,  "  For  Zion's  sake  will  I  not  rest,  and  for  Jerusalem's  sake 
will  I  not  hold  my  peace,  until  the  righteousness  thereof  go 
forth  as  brightness,  and  the  salvation  thereof  as  a  lamp  that 
burneth,"  had  touched  his  lips,  and  off  he  hastened  to  Martha's 
Vineyard,  and  there  we  hear  of  him  as  preaching  with  over- 
whelming effect  to  the  vast  and  promiscuous  assemblage  which 
had  gathered  at  that  favorite  spot : 

"The  preaching  was  unusually  spiritual.  Rev.  Drs.  Woodruff,  Pierce, 
Tiffany,  and  Payne,  the  brothers  Alfred  and  John  Cookman,  declared  the 
truth  in  much  assurance,  and  with  great  success.  The  sermon  of  Rev.  Al- 
fred Cookman,  on  '  Be  filled  with  the  Spirit,'  was  mightily  effective."* 

Another  correspondent  wrote : 

"  Rev.  A.  Cookman,  through  God,  did  a  mighty  work  for  the  cause  of 
holiness.  My  impression  is,  if  we,  as  a  people,  will  follow  the  lead  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  will  make  our  camp-meetings  a 
wonderful  means  '  for  spreading  scriptural  holiness  over  these  lands.'  "t 

The  sermon  here  referred  to,  which  was  substantially  the 
same  as  that  preached  at  Urbana,  on  the  text,  "  Be  filled  with 
the  Spirit,"  was  the  last  preached  by  Mr.  Cookman  at  a  camp- 
meeting.  He  was  much  agitated  as  to  what  he  should  preach, 
and,  after  earnest  questioning  and  prayer,  felt  impressed  to 
take  this  subject.  What  could  so  appropriately  have  been  his 
last  theme  to  the  general  Church,  represented  as  it  was  in  all 

*  The  Methodist.  \  The  Methodist  Home  Journal. 


428  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

its  branches  on  that  occasion,  as  this  one  great  theme  of  his 
life.  Lifted  up — to  what  eye-witnesses  have  declared  was  an 
illumination  of  person  and  mind — there,  on 'the  remotest  coast 
of  New  England,  he  delivered  a  message  to  the  Church,  which 
the  winds  of  heaven  have  been  wafting  northward,  westward, 
and  southward,  till  believers  of  every  section  must  catch  the 
wondrous  sound,  "  Be  filled  with  the  Spirit."  There  is  no  leg- 
acy which  a  truly  devoted  minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
could  so  fittingly  leave  to  all  Christians,  whom  he  loved  as  he 
loved  his  life,  as  the  exhortation  and  the  prayer  for  them  "to 
be  filled  with  the  Spirit."  In  this  sentiment  he  felt  was  "com- 
pleted and  compacted  "  the  one  great  want  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

Mr.  Cookman  returned  from  Martha's  Vineyard,  spent  two 
weeks  at  Ocean  Grove,  and  then  brought  his  family  home,  and 
early  in  September  was  at  the  regular  work  of  his  charge.  The 
great  spiritual  preparation  which  he  had  earnestly  desired  for 
his  fall  and  winter  work  had  evidently  been  granted ;  his  mind 
began  promptly  to  unfold  plans  of  increasing  usefulness,  and 
in  all  the  public  and  social  services  there  was  an  enlarged  at- 
tendance and  a  manifest  deepening  of  religious  fervor.  The 
special  service  for  the  promotion  of  holiness,  not  hitherto  ap- 
pointed, was  now  established,  and  from  it  the  happiest  results 
were  anticipated.* 

There  was,  however,  one  drawback  to  the  pastor's  plans  and 
expectations — a  disturbing  element  had  thrust  itself  forward 
and  demanded  recognition — a  strange  element,  which  hereto- 
fore had  never  entered  into  his  reckonings,  beset  him  ;  his 
health,  always  before  so  firm  and  reliable,  was  now  weak  and 

*  A  card,  neatly  printed,  was  issued  and  circulated  with  these  words : 
The  "  Higher  Christian  Life.  A  meeting  for  all  interested,  irrespective  of 
denominational  connections,  is  held  every  Friday  evening,  in  the  Chapel 
of  Central  M.  E.  Church,  Market  Street,  near  Mulberry.  Tlease  preserve 
this  card  as  a  remembrancer." 


EARTH  NEEDS  THE  GOOD.  429 

treacherous.  His  physical  constitution  had  lost  its  elasticity; 
accustomed  hitherto  to  recover  its  vigor  immediately  with  the 
suspension  of  hard  work,  it  now  failed  to  show  signs  of  recu- 
peration. The  bow,  strung  too  long,  had  lost  its  spring,  and,  when 
the  string  was  loosed,  there  was  no  rebound.  Alfred  Cookman 
had  gone  too  far  for  his  strength — this  last  summer's  campaign 
had  finished  what  former  summers'  work  had  begun  and  has- 
tened— the  premature  decay  of  his  bodily  powers. 

It  is  impossible,  as  I  now  enter  the  shadows  which  begin  to 
gather  about  our  friend,  whom  I  have  thus  followed  step  by  step 
until  this  period  of  his  life,  to  dismiss  wholly  from  sight  a  ques- 
tion which,  despite  the  sanctity  of  his  character,  the  usefulness 
of  his  career,  and  the  triumph  of  his  death,  obtrudes  itself  upon 
me :  Can  his  uniform  course  of  attending  and  working  at  suc- 
cessive camp-meetings  during  the  summer  seasons  be  wholly 
commended  ?  The  difficulty  of  seeing  any  mistake  in  a  life  so 
full  of  good  fruits  is  very  great ;  and  yet,  when  the  loss  to  the 
Church  and  to  the  world  which  the  death  of  such  a  man  entails 
is  weighed,  those  who  feel  it  most  deeply  may  be  forgiven  if 
they  suggest  conditions  which,  humanly  considered,  may  have 
prevented  it. 

"  Oh,  sir  !  the  good  die  first, 
And  they  whose  hearts  are  dry  as  summer  dust 
Burn  to  the  socket," 

is  an  utterance  which  gratifies  a  sort  of  vengeful  feeling  when 
we  see  the  good  stricken  down  in  their  prime  and  the  wicked 
living  to  old  age ;  but  it  is  not  such  as  Christianity  warrants. 
The  earth  needs  the  good.  The  cause  of  God  needs  the  wis- 
dom of  age  as  well  as  the  zeal  of  youth.  Life  is  the  order 
of  God,  and,  except  where  it  can  be  clearly  pointed  out  as  a 
duty,  it  is  not  to  be  unduly  exposed.  Times  may  come,  calls 
may  arise  which  demand  its  jeopardy  and  even  its  sacrifice  as 
the  price  of  conscience,  liberty,  humanity ;  but  ordinarily  God 
is  most  glorified  when,  by  a  due  observance  of  the  laws  of 


430  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

health,  it  is  prolonged  and  preserved  in  cumulative  perfection 
to  advanced  years. 

There  is  no  reason  why  a  holy  man  should  not  increase  in 
holiness  and  usefulness  until  old  age,  and  present,  though  in  a 
different  aspect,  quite  as  beautiful  an  exemplification  of  the 
force  of  religion  in  the  aged  as  in  the  young.  This  is  a  view 
of  the  subject  quite  necessary  to  be  looked  at,  ^specially  by 
youth.  There  is  something  peculiarly  fascinating  to  ardent 
natures  in  the  halo  which  invests  a  rapid,  fiery  course  and  an 
early  triumphant  death ;  but  to  other  minds  there  is  something 
repellent,  as  implying  a  logical  connection  between  a  life  of 
the  highest  devotion  and  a  premature  death.  A  devout  man 
may  conscientiously  refuse  incessant,  overtasking  labor,  and 
insist  upon  the  hours  and  days  of  relaxation,  for  the  preserva- 
tion of  his  health,  in  order  that  he  may  thus  offer  to  God  a 
larger  and  more  effective  service.  St.  Paul  had  a  desire  to  de- 
part and  be  with  Christ,  which  he  felt  to  be  far  better  for  him- 
self, because  he  would  thus  sooner  be  free  from  suffering,  and 
be  present  with  the  Lord  ;  but  he  yielded  to  the  motive  of  use- 
fulness to  the  Church  as  a  reason  sufficiently  strong  to  control 
his  personal  preference,  and  consented  to  remain  in  the  body. 

The  desire  for  the  greatest  usefulness  may  lead  one  man  to 
such  intensity  of  action  as  to  preclude  intermission  of  labor, 
under  the  impression  that  time  thus  spent  is  lost ;  while  the 
same  desire  may  lead  another  to  the  strict  observance  of  vaca- 
tion, as -more  economical  of  time,  because  regarded  as  indis- 
pensable to  the  maintenance  of  an  equable  and  steady  strength. 
One  man's  motto  is,  "  Labor  here,  rest  hereafter ;"  another's 
motto  is,  "  Some  rest  and  more  labor."  Both  may  be  equally 
religious,  be  alike  governed  by  the  glory  of  God  ;  but  certainly 
if  the  human  race,  before  its  universal  death  and  resurrection, 
is  to  possess  the  earth,  if  in  humanity  as  now  constituted,  only 
saved  from  sin  and  immorality,  God  is  to  be  glorified  in  what 
is  ordinarily  expected  as  the  millennium,  then  conservation  of 


WANT  OF  ENOUGH  RELAXATION.  431 

physical  health  and  the  prolongation  of  human  life  must  be 
considered  one  of  the  first  duties  of  practical  religion.  God's 
greatest  glory  will  be  revealed  in  the  highest  perfection  of  the 
threefold  man — soul,  body,  and  spirit. 

A  doubt  can  not  be  raised  as  to  the  thorough  conscientious- 
ness of  Mr.  Cookman,  nor,  with  the  notions  of  individual  lib- 
erty, which  must  be  conceded  in  reference  to  personal  con- 
duct, especially  in  view  of  the  good  sense,  and  the  extreme  care 
with  which  he  canvassed  all  questions  of  religion  and  morals, 
both  for  himself  and  others,  is  it  easy  to  say  that  he  should  have 
acted  differently  in  the  use  of  his  time  and  energies  than  he 
did.  While  he  was  in  the  fullness  of  his  vigor,  fame,  and  use- 
fulness, his  friends  used  to  remonstrate  with  him  against  devot- 
ing his  vacations  in  the  heats  of  summer  to  the  same  mental 
and  bodily  work  to  which  he  was  accustomed  all  the  year  round. 
He  thought  the  change  of  scene  and  place  would  be  sufficient 
to  prevent  damage  to  his  health.  But  the  trouble  was  that, 
while  change  of  scene  did  bring  a  degree  of  relaxation,  the 
mind  continued,  only  in  an  intenser  degree,  to  be  excited  in  the 
same  direction  as  in  the  ordinary  work  of  the  pastoral  charge. 
If,  after  the  exhaustion  of  the  camp-meetings,  he  could  have  had 
freedom  from  care  for  a  month  each  year,  his  labors  could  have 
been  continued,  in  all  likelihood,  for  many  years,  for  his  phys- 
ical resources  were  truly  remarkable;  but  it  was  not  possible  for 
a  man,  even  of  his  bodily  powers,  to  go  directly  from  the  cares 
of  a  charge  to  the  herculean  work  of  five  or  six  camp-meetings 
every  season,  and  to  return  immediately  to  the  exacting  duties 
of  the  pastorate,  without  detriment  to  his  health,  and  probable 
premature  decay  of  his  vital  force.  He  did  not  realize  his  dan- 
ger in  the  beginning,  and  with  each  additional  year  his  zeal 
became  so  absorbing  as  to  consume  him,  so  that  I  believe  his 
course  was  finally  one  of  deliberate  choice,  taken  with  his  eyes 
fully  open  to  the  worst  consequences. 

I  can  not  approve  his  election  on  general  principles.     I  may 


432  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

accept  it  as  that  which  God's  Spirit  pointed  out  to  him  as  his 
proper  path ;  and,  in  accepting  it,  I  must  be  carried  away  with 
admiration  for  so  sublime  an  embodiment  of  that  ancient,  he- 
roic, self-sacrificing  devotion  which  inspired  the  apostles  and 
confessors  of  the  primitive  ages,  and  which  still  in  these  mod- 
ern times  impels  scores  and  hundreds  of  believers  to  brave  the 
pestilence,  the  savage,  and  the  deep  for  the  Cross  of  Christ. 
Surely  no  one  can  turn  away  from  the  career  of  this  saint 
of  God,  after  contemplating  his  self-sacrificing  zeal  for  the 
salvation  of  his  fellow -men,  and  say  "the  age  of  heroes  is 
past." 

After  all,  it  may  be  that  one  lesson,  in  addition  to  many  oth- 
ers, which  divine  Providence  meant  to  teach  in  the  history  of 
His  servant,  is  the  greater  moral  beauty,  the  richer  blessedness 
of  a  zeal  which  consumes,  in  contradistinction  to  the  dwarfed 
religiousness  which  the  thought  of  self  and  the  love  of  ease  en- 
gender— low  principles  which,  alas !  are  too  prevalent  in  our 
clay.  Sometimes  extremes  can  only  be  met  by  extremes ;  a 
low  stoop  is  necessary  to  reach  a  deep  depression — so  Alfred 
Cookman  may  have  been  a  sacrifice  to  an  excessive  zeal,  whose 
force,  all  the  greater  by  its  contrast,  shall  kindle  the  breasts  of 
others,  and  arouse  them  from  a  too  utilitarian  and  cold  policy 
for  the  work  of  saving  a  selfish  world. 

But  the  day  is  passing — the  sun  nears  the  west — the  shadows 
are  lengthening — enough  of  my  reflections.  We  will  hear  more 
from  him.  Some  one  remarked  to  him  during  his  last  illness, 
"  Perhaps  you  have  worked  too  hard,  and  have  not  been  suf- 
ficiently careful  of  your  health."  "Well,"  he  replied,  "I  do 
not  know — I  have  enjoyed  my  work;  I  have  not  been  con- 
scious of  overtaxing  myself.  I  had  but  one  life  to  live  here, 
and  it  was  for  the  glory  of  Jesus ;  and  He  has  abundantly 
recompensed  me." 

The  following  letters  make  but  little  mention  of  his  health, 
and  are  full  of  gentle  love  and  genuine  goodness. 


THE   MEMORY  OF   URBANA  CAMP-MEETING.  433 

To  Mrs.  Lewis,  of  Columbus,  Ohio : 

"NEWARK,  N.  J.,  September  7,  1871. 

"  We  received  most  thankfully  and  joyfully  your  welcome  letter.  There 
are  no  epistolary  missives  that  come  to  our  home  that  are  more  affection- 
ately hailed  than  your  own.  You  would  excuse  us  from  the  necessity  of  re- 
plying ;  but  no  !  my  Christian  lady,  you  must  not  just  yet  exclude  us  from 
the  joy  of  corresponding  with  one  of  our  dearest  earthly  friends,  for  Mrs. 
C.  and  I  both  feel  that  in  our  large  circle  there  is  no  heart  truer,  kinder, 
or  more  faithful  than  your  own.  Twelve  years  of  blessed  intimacy  and 
growing  affection  will  not  heed  the  suggestion  of  your  modest  and  ap- 
preciative kindness.  Thoughts  are  not  sufficient ;  we  must  tell  you  in  your 
Western  home  that  '  mountains  rise  to  separate  us  in  vain.'  God  gave  you 
to  us — one  of  His  special  gifts — and  you  know  that  His  blessings  are  not 
only  peculiarly  satisfying,  but  they  become  richer  and  sweeter  and  better  the 
longer  they  are  retained. 

"  I  can  not  give  you  any  idea  how  delighted  I  was  to  meet  you  at  Urbana. 
I  thought  constantly  of  Homer,  and  felt  if  he  could  have  brightened  our  cir- 
cle with  his  brotherly  face,  and  then  we  could  have  gone  all  together  into 
the  ocean  of  divine  fullness,  this  would  have  completed  our  joy.  The  last 
of  our  National  camp-meetings  was  for  me  the  most  glorious.  How  good 
the  Heavenly  Father  was  to  me,  His  humble  legate !  What  access  He 
gave  me  to  the  hearts  of  the  people  !  What  comfort  in  the  proclamation  of 
His  truth !  I  am  persuaded  that  God  specially  honored  your  faith  on 
Tuesday  morning,  and  in  response  to  your  intercessions  vouchsafed  the  send- 
ing of  the  Holy  One.  It  was  one  of  the  most  hallowed  and  blessed  services 
with  which  I  have  ever  been  identified  ;  and,  indeed,  all  through  it  was 
the  Divinity !  the  Divinity !  !  Glory  to  the  Father  and  to  the  Son  and  to  the 
Holy  Ghost.  I  rejoice  to  hear  of  your  Friday-afternoon  meeting.  This 
will  be  a  power  and  a  blessing.  The  little  flame  kindled  at  the  Capitol  will 
spread  and  meet  other  flames  burning  in  different  localities,  until  Ohio  shall 
blaze  with  the  glory  of  full  salvation.  Our  sojourn  at  the  sea-side  was  both 
delightful  and  profitable.  The  ocean  breezes  invigorated  me  physically. 
Our  dear  Brother  Benjamin  Adams  was  tented  just  alongside  of  our  cot- 
tage, and  in  his  society  I  spent  some  of  my  happiest  moments.  The  chil- 
dren think  that  Ocean  Grove  is  next  to  heaven.  Your  splendid  boy  re- 
turned home  more  splendid  than  ever.  He  is  still  the  idol  of  our  household. 
His  torment  at  present  is  the  mosquitoes  !  They  will  bite  him,  and  I  do  not 
wonder — if  I  was  one  I  should  insist  on  a  little  piece  myself.  When  night 
comes,  they  seem  to  pass  by  our  bed,  and  they  concentrate  on  the  crib — illus- 
trating that  even  mosquitoes  know  what  is  good. 

T 


434  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

"  Now  I  have  filled  my  pages,  and  said  only  a  tithe  of  what  I  wanted  to 
write.  Give  love  to  your  sister.  Write  soon  and  often  to  your  Christian 
brother." 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore,  of  Wilmington,  Del. : 

"NEWARK,  N.  J.,  September  9, 1871. 

"  I  add  a  brief  postscript  to  my  wife's  letter,  to  say  that  you  are  both  very 
dear  to  my  heart,  and  your  kind  attentions,  unremitted  confidence,  and  ten- 
der love  have  made  the  deepest  impression  upon  my  better  nature,  and  I 
think  of  you  as  among  the  most  precious  of  my  Heavenly  Father's  blessings. 
Sister  Emily  has  for  so  many  years  vindicated  her  faithful  friendship,  that 
this  is  a  settled  matter ;  and  she  takes  her  place,  not  among  the  volunteers, 
but  with  the  tried  and  trusted  veterans.  Brother  M.  I  have  not  known  quite 
so  long,  but  three  years  have  done  more  for  him  than  thirty  for  some  others. 
No  one  could  have  been  truer  or  warmer  or  more  faithful,  and  he  has  a  place 
just  alongside  of  his  devoted  wife — and  that  is  a  very  special  place. 

"  Now  this  note,  instead  of  being  a  little  budget  of  news,  is  a  declaration 
of  love  ;  and,  indeed,  I  joy  to  tell  you  both  how,  despite  separation,  my  heart 
clings  to  you  as  fondly  as  when  I  stood  in  the  relation  of  a  cherished  pastor. 

"  Love  is  a  blessed  sunshine  on  life's  way,  and,  thank  God,  we  may  make 
sunshine  for  others  while  we  bask  in  its  invigorating  beams  ourselves. 

"  My  health  is  very  much  better  than  it  has  been,  so  that  I  do  my  regular 
work  as  formerly.  Yesterday,  Sabbath,  I  preached  twice  and  delivered  a 
missionary  address.  Next  Friday  evening  we  begin  a  meeting  for  the  pro- 
motion of  Christian  holiness.  How  I  could  desire  your  co-operation  in  this 
effort  to  exalt  Jesus  and  help  fellow-disciples.  God  bless  you  both.  Come 
and  see  us  !  The  warmest  welcome  awaits  you  at  No.  21  Clinton  Street." 

To  Mrs.  Edward  Moore,  of  Wilmington,  Del. : 

"  NEWARK,  N.  J.,  October  23, 1871. 

"  You  can  not  imagine  how  much  pleasure  your  letter  gave  us.  It  was 
read  and  rc-rcad,  and  then  read  over  again.  Any  word  from  Wilmington 
is  specially  welcome.  We  have  many  blessed  memories  of  our  last  pastor- 
ate ;  indeed,  I  do  not  know  of  any  place  to  which  our  feelings  turn  more 
tenderly  than  your  neat,  quiet,  orderly,  and  pleasant  little  city. 

"  Every  thing  is  pleasant  and  promising  in  our  Newark  pastorate.  Our 
Friday-evening  meeting  for  the  promotion  of  holiness  is  already  a  blessed 
success — largely  attended,  and  with  the  needed  unction  of  the  Holy  One. 
The  friends  seem  to  have  a  revival  in  their  faith,  and  we  are  confidently 
waiting  for  shcnvers  of  blessing.  Our  best  love  to  all  the  dear  friends  of 
Grace  Church,  especially  to  the  little  circle  that  associate  themselves  on 


RIDING   IN  THE  AMBULANCE.  435 

Wednesday  afternoon  and  evening.  My  word  to  them  you  will  find  in 
First  Thessalonians,  third  chapter,  eighth  to  thirteenth  verses.  Write  fre- 
quently, if  you  can,  and  give  us  all  the  items  of  Wilmington  life." 

To  Mr.  W.  W.  Cookman,  of  Philadelphia : 

"NEWARK,  N.  J.,  October  u,  1871. 

"  I  can  not  tell  you  how  grateful  and  gratifying  was  your  fraternal  letter. 
For  some  time  past  I  have  had  it  upon  my  mind  to  use  my  pen  in  re-opening 
our  correspondence.  Affectionate  brothers,  alive  to  each  other's  interests, 
there  ought  certainly  to  be  a  more  frequent  interchange  of  thoughts  and  feel- 
ings. Greatly  desiring  and  fully  intending  this,  I  have  allowed  bodily  indis- 
position, with  the  pressure  of  immediate  duties,  to  influence  me,  and  this 
pleasant  exercise  has  been  postponed.  You  have  anticipated  me  in  this 
matter.  I  thank  you  most  tenderly  for  your  brotherly  consideration,  and  I 
promise  to  be  more  thoughtful  and  faithful  in  the  future. 

"  You  refer  to  my  recent  indisposition.  This  has  been  a  new  chapter  in 
my  experience.  Blessed,  as  you  know,  with  robust  health  scarcely  ever  in- 
terrupted, it  was  a  trial  to  feel  or  acknowledge  myself  an  invalid.  During 
the  summer  campaign  in  the  forests,  to  ride  in  the  ambulance  and  hear  the 
noise  of  the  battle  or  the  shouts  of  the  victors,  when  my  accustomed  place 
was  '  at  the  front,'  was  a  new  experience,  and  called  for  grace,  special  grace. 
My  covenant-keeping  Lord,  however,  has  been  fulfilling  his  gracious  prom- 
ises. He  has  not  left  or  forsaken  me.  He  has  supplied  all  my  need,  and 
gives  me  occasion  daily  for  thanksgiving  and  praise.  My  trouble  was  an  in- 
termittent fever,  a  torpid  liver,  some  kidney  difficulty,  and  a  prostration  of 
my  nervous  system.  Thanks  to  a  gracious  Providence,  I  am  very  much  bet- 
ter— am  able  to  preach  twice  every  Sabbath,  and  supervise  the  general  in- 
terests of  my  charge.  Weakness  in  my  knees  and  ankles,  making  locomo- 
tion sometimes  a  painful  effort,  is  my  chief  ailment  now.  Frosty  weather 
will  probably  relieve  this  and  invigorate  my  nervous  energies.  Dr.  Nelson, 
of  New  York,  wants  me  to  take  a  year's  rest,  and  go  to  Europe  and  the 
East.  As  I  am  situated,  however,  this  seems  to  me  to  be  impracticable. 
You  have,  of  course,  heard  of  John's  engagement.  *  *  *  This  I  regard  as 
the  last  and  best  installment  of  heaven's  love  for  our  younger  brother.  We 
are  usually  well  at  our  Newark  home.  Annie  joins  me  in  tenderest  love  to 
yourself  and  Mary.  Kisses  for  your  boys  from  their  uncle,  aunt,  and  cous- 
ins. Come  and  visit  us  when  you  can.  A  most  cordial  welcome  awaits 
you  or  any  of  yours." 

The  last  article  which  came  from  Mr.  Cookman's  hand  for 
publication,  was  a  preface,  written  at  the  request  of  Mr.  W.  S. 


436  LIFE    OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Hillis  of  Wilmington,  Delaware,  for  a  little  tract  containing  the 
account  of  Dr.  Coan's  labors  in  the  island  of  Hilo.  The  tract 
was  afterward  published.  The  article  was  conveyed  in  a  letter 
to  Mr.  Hillis : 

"NEWARK,  N.J.,  October  19,  1871. 

"  I  ought  perhaps  to  take  a  season  of  rest,  but  in  my  relations,  both  family 
and  ecclesiastical,  this  seems  impracticable.  I  am  the  child  of  the  best  of 
fathers,  and  He  is  pledged  to  the  supervision  of  all  my  interests.  What 
may  be  His  design  in  my  present  condition,  I  can  not  know.  Lying  quietly 
and  lovingly  and  confidently  in  His  blessed  embrace,  I  look  up  and  say, 
'  Good  is  the  will  of  the  Lord.'  I  want  to  be  entirely  willing  to  do  or  not 
to  do." 

Mr.  Cookman  continued  to  fulfill  all  his  ministerial  duties 
during  the  weeks  of  September  and  October.  But  it  was  evi- 
dent to  his  family  and  friends  that  his  bodily  strength  was  not 
adequate  to  the  tasks  he  was  performing.  It  was  the  opinion 
of  medical  men  that  his  health  was  seriously  impaired  and 
needed  absolute  rest,  and  he  was  advised  to  take  a  tour  to 
Europe.  The  way  did  not  appear  to  be  open,  and  so  he  toiled 
on — hoping,  though  not  without  alternations  of  fear,  that  with 
the  cool  frosts  of  autumn  his  strength  would  return.  He  would  at 
this  time,  after  being  out  through  the  clay  making  pastoral  calls, 
come  home  and  throw  himself  on  the  sofa  utterly  exhausted, 
and  say,  "  Sometimes  I  think  my  work  is  nearly  done,  and  when 
I  take  my  bed,  it  may  be  my  last  sickness."  Then  again  he 
would  rally,  and  talk  of  his  plans  for  the  future.  He  still  moved 
quite  freely  among  his  ministerial  brethren.  As  late  as  the  first 
of  October  he  was  over  to  New  York  in  attendance  upon  the 
Preachers'  meeting,  interchanging  greetings  and  showing  all  his 
wonted  buoyancy  of  feeling.  His  hearty  grasp  and  glowing  ex- 
pressions on  that  occasion  can  not  soon  be  forgotten. 

While  instant  in  labor  in  his  own  charge,  he  was  ever  ready, 
sick  as  he  was,  to  render  outside  help  to  the  ministers  of  neigh- 
boring cities. 


HEAVENLY   LONGINGS.  437 

The  Rev.  L.  R.  Dunn  writes  : 

"  After  the  summer  campaign  was  over,  he  resumed  his  work  with  great 
hopefulness.  Having  been  a  pastor  for  five  years  of  the  same  Church, 
and  knowing  intimately  its  official  boards  and  its  entire  membership,  I  can 
safely  say  that  never  before  in  all  their  history  were  they  laboring  with 
greater  unanimity,  with  loftier  inspirations,  and  with  more  assured  promise 
and  hope  for  their  future  enlargement  and  prosperity.  Every  movement  he 
made,  every  word  he  spoke,  every  meeting  he  held,  and  every  sermon  he 
preached  seemed  to  distill  a  fragrance  not  only  in  his  own  Church,  but  as  far 
as  he  was  known  through  all  the  churches  and  all  the  community.  *  *  * 

"  As  an  illustration  of  this,  an  intelligent  young  man,  who  had  been  brought 
to  Christ  during  my  ministry  in  the  Central  Church,  although  afterward  con- 
nected with  another  of  our  churches  in  the  city,  was  conversing  with  me 
after  his  death  about  his  goodness  and  purity.  So  impressed  did  he  seem 
to  be  that  I  asked  him  if  he  had  often  heard  him  preach  ?  '  No,'  said  he, '  I 
have  never  heard  him  preach,  but  I  have  watched  him  as  he  was  walking 
along  the  street?  So  that  his  very  shadow  as  he  walked  left  its  impress  on 
the  mind  and  heart  of  that  young  man.  *  *  *  I  had  arranged  to  have  a  few 
dayg  of  extra  sen-ices  in  my  charge,  and  he  had  promised  to  spend  a  day 
with  me.  He  came  in  during  the  afternoon  meeting,  and  talked  very  sweetly 
and  impressively  to  all  present  of  his  experience  of  full  salvation.  After 
service  he  went  to  my  house  with  one  of  our  clear  mutual  friends,  and  re- 
mained until  the  evening  service.  When  leaving  the  house  he  said  to  me, 
'  Let  me  take  your  arm  ;  since  my  sickness  this  last  summer  I  have  been  a 
little  lame,  and  my  limbs  sometimes  seem  to  give  way.'  Little  did  I  think 
then,  as  he  walked  and  talked  of  Jesus  and  His  love,  that  he  was  so  near  to 
his  heavenly  home.  *  *  *  He  preached  with  great  power  on  '  Put  ye  on  the 
Lord  Jesus,'  and  his  sermon  seemed  to  produce  a  deep  impression." 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  spiritual  mindedness  of  Mr.  Cook- 
man  through  these  weeks.  He  was  full  of  plans  for  life,  but  a 
deep  under-current  of  feeling  bore  all  his  thoughts  heavenward. 
He  almost  literally  lived  and  moved  in  God.  His  spirit  was 
becoming  so  filled  with  the  atmosphere  of  the  skies,  that  its 
tendency  was  upward,  and,  imperceptibly  to  himself  and  his 
friends,  he  was  so  ready  for  the  ascent  that  it  was  with  difficulty 
he  could  be  held  to  earth.  Walking  out  one  evening  with  his 
wife,  as  he  looked  up  to  the  heavens  he  said,  "  Those  are  my 


43^  LIFE   OF  ALFRED  COOKMAN. 

Father's  stars  " — "  That  is  my  Father's  moon."  A  short  time  be- 
fore he  was  taken  sick  they  visited  a  house  where  they  saw  an 
oil-painting  of  a  saint  just  entering  heaven ;  lingering  by  it,  he 
said,  "  How  I  covet  her — she  is  almost  within  the  gate ;"  and 
then  requested  his  wife  to  sing— 

"  Oh,  the  city  !  oh,  the  glory  ! 
Far  beyond  the  rapturous  story 
Of  the  ages  old  and  hoary — 
Oh  !  'tis  heaven  at  last !" 

He  gazed  in  transport  as  he  seemed  to  fancy  her  just  entering 
the  heavenly  city. 

The  month  of  October,  with  its  keen,  crisp  breath,  was  fast 
speeding  away,  without  reviving  the  flagging  steps  of  the  weary 
invalid.  He  grew  perceptibly  weaker.  While  in  attendance 
upon  the  National  Committee  in  New  York,  about  the  middle 
of  the  month,  he  made  a  call  at  his  brother's  house  in  West 
Thirty-fourth  Street.  Though  feeble,  he  was  very  bright  and 
cheerful.  His  whole  conversation  was  about  Jesus  and  his 
cause.  That  visit  proved  the  last.  Two  days  before  his  final 
illness  he  attended  a  love-feast  at  the  Halsey  Street  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  Newark.  His  ankles  were  then  very  weak, 
but  such  was  his  devotion  to  the  Master's  work  that  he  could  not 
refuse  to  go.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting  he  gave  his  experi- 
ence from  the  commencement  of  his  religious  life,  dwelling  es- 
pecially upon  the  holy  influence  and  example  of  his  mother. 
Returning  home,  two  of  his  warm  friends  walked  on  each  side 
of  him  to  support  his  feeble  steps.  He  said  to  them,  "  I  know 
it  is  not  popular  to  hold  up  the  doctrine  of  holiness,  but  I 
thought  I  would  do  my  whole  duty  then;  I  feel  this  may  be 
my  last  opportunity." 

On  Sunday,  the  2 ad  of  October,  he  performed  his  last  public 
services.  He  had  said  many  times  when  in  health,  "  I  would 
like  to  die,  if  it  is  God's  will,  with  my  armor  on,  and  preach  by 
my  death  as  well  as  by  my  life."  He  often  spoke  of  the  Rev. 


LAST   SERMON  :    FADING   AS   A   LEAF.  439 

Dudley  Tyng,  with  whom  he  was  intimately  associated  in  Phil- 
adelphia, and  said,  "  It  was  glorious  to  die  as  he  did,  for  his 
dying  testimony  was  yet  echoing  through  the  world."  He  even 
said  he  "  would  prefer  to  die  in  the  pulpit."  His  wish,  though 
not  literally,  was  about  to  be  substantially  gratified.  His  work 
and  his  life  were  to  end  together.  His  death  was  to  be  the 
most  effective  sermon  of  his  whole  career — a  fitting  vindication 
and  illustration  of  the  power  of  the  doctrines  he  had  preached 
and  lived — a  death  which,  for  its  singular  spiritual  glory,  is  des- 
tined to  be  spoken  of  while  the  annals  of  Christian  saints  shall 
be  read,  and  which  for  its  wondrous  force  will  be  quoted  and 
dwelt  upon  as  a  divine  inspiration  while  there  shall  be  a  Church 
to  cherish  the  memory  of  the  good,  or  a  trembling  believer 
who  shall  need  cheer  amid  the  stern  struggles  of  life  and 
death. 

In  the  morning  he  preached  from  Mark  iv.,  25,  "From  him 
that  hath  not  shall  be  taken  away  even  that  which  he  hath" — 
a  very  solemn  and  effective  sermon.  In  the  afternoon  he  visit- 
ed the  Sabbath-school,  as  was  his  custom,  and  shook  hands 
with  every  teacher  and  scholar.  Toward  evening  he  com- 
plained of  not  feeling  well,  and  Mrs.  Cookman  was  very  anx- 
ious to  get  some  one  to  fill  his  pulpit  for  the  evening  service. 
But  he  would  not  consent,  saying,  "  I  think  I  have  a  message 
from  God  for  this  people ;  I  shall  preach  from  '  the  faded  leaf.' " 
As  he  arose  to  announce  his  text,  he  held  in  his  hand  a  faded 
leaf,  saying  "this  is  my  text,  'We  all  do  fade  as  a  leaf.'"  Sev- 
eral persons  remarked  afterward  to  his  wife  that  "  he  looked 
like  one  transfigured."  A  lady  said  to  her  husband,  "  She  did 
not  think  that  Fletcher  could  have  looked  more  seraphic."  As 
he  finished  his  sermon  his  feet  gave  way,  and  passing  from  the 
pulpit  he  handed  the  leaf  to  a  friend,  saying,  "  The  leaf  and  the 
preacher  are  very  much  alike— -fading."  He  limped  home,  and 
when  his  wife  received  him  in  the  parlor  he  was  almost  dis- 
tracted with  pain.  As  he  was  assisted  to  his  chamber  he  re- 


44O  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

marked  to  her, "  I  have  preached  my  own  experience  to-night, 
'Fading  as  a  leaf?  " 

The  physician  in  attendance  pronounced  the  disease  Mial- 
gia,  or  acute  inflammatory  rheumatism,  the  pain  being  confined 
to  the  ankles  and  the  soles  of  the  feet.  There  was  also  a  tor- 
pid condition  of  the  liver,  which  added  very  much  to  his  dis- 
comfort. The  next  few  days  were  accompanied  with  intense 
suffering ;  but  he  was  heard  to  say  "  that,  while  his  whole  lower 
nature  was  quivering  with  agony,  his  higher  nature  triumphed 
in  God."  At  times  he  would  be  so  filled  with  the  Spirit  as  to 
burst  out  in  the  midst  of  his  anguish  into  expressions  of  praise 
and  love.  I  quote  again  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dunn  :  "  In  at- 
tempting to  describe  his  sufferings  to  me  he  used  the  following 
language  :  '  If/  said  he, '  the  bones  of  my  feet  were  all  teeth, 
and  each  one  had  what  we  call  the  jumping  toothache,  it  would 
give  you  some  idea  of  what  I  suffer.'  After  conversation  and 
prayer,  when  I  rose  to  leave,  he  grasped  my  hand,  and,  looking 
up  so  lovingly  in  my  eyes,  he  said,  'My  precious  brother,  how  I 
love  you !  I  have  always  felt  a  special  nearness  to  you  ever 
since  I  have  known  you.'  But,  great  as  his  sufferings  were,  he 
seemed  then  to  have  no  idea  he  was  so  near  his  end,  but  talked 
freely  of  his  plans  for  the  future,  and  his  hope  of  a  speedy  re- 
covery." 

After  about  one  week  of  almost  constant  pain,  approaching 
sometimes  to  convulsions,  alleviated  only  by  slight  intervals  of 
ease,  he  became  apparently  convalescent.  When  a  lull  in  his 
sufferings  took  place  he  was  very  bright  and  cheerful,  and  he 
manifested  the  keenest  interest  in  every  thing  which  occurred 
around  him  both  beyond  and  within  the  house.  Every  little  in- 
cident in  the  outer  world  was  referred  to  with  the  liveliest  ap- 
preciation ;  while  the  acts  of  kindness  performed  by  those  in 
attendance  upon  him,  even  of  the  most  trivial  kind,  were  re- 
ceived with  the  sweetest  look  of  pleasure  and  gratitude.  Al- 
ways to  the  question, "  How  are  you  ?"  he  would  reply, "  I  think 


AFFECTION  FOR  HIS  PEOPLE.  44! 

I  am  a  little  better."  After  rallying  from  the  first  paroxysms 
of  suffering,  he  had  his  books  and  paper  brought  to  him,  and 
employed  his  time  as  he  was  able  in  reading  or  being  read  to, 
and  in  writing  notes  to  his  friends.  His  Bible  was  daily  by  his 
side;  when  he  was  unable  to  read  it,  either  the  children  or  his 
wife  would  read  it  to  him,  and  he  would  respond,  "There  is 
nothing  like  the  Word  of  the  Lord;"  or,  "Oh,  how  precious  !" 
At  his  request  his  daughter  Annie  read  to  him  the  sixteenth 
chapter  of  the  Gospel  of  St.  John — always  a  favorite  chapter 
with  him.  She  said  to  him  one  day  as  he  was  suffering  with 
pain  in  the  back  of  his  neck,  "  Pa,  are  you  not  afraid  that  it  will 
go  to  your  brain  ?"  "  No,  darling,"  he  answered,  "  not  unless 
the  Lord  Jesus  would  have  it."  October  29th,  one  week  from 
the  time  of  his  prostration,  a  meeting  being  held  by  the  mem- 
bers of  his  Church  to  pray  especially  for  his  recovery,  he  dic- 
tated for  them  the  following  note  : 

"  Mr.  Cookman  wishes  me  to  say  that  he  appreciates  more  than  he  can 
express  the  sympathy  and  love  of  his  dear  people.  He  loved  you  all  very 
tenderly  before  his  present  illness ;  he  feels  that  he  will  love  you  much  more 
in  the  future.  This  is  a  Sabbath  of  great  physical  suffering,  and  yet  it  is 
proving,  doubtless  in  answer  to  your  prayers,  the  most  precious  of  all  his 
life.  He  says  he  is  Christ's  suffering  little  child;  and  with  every  sharp, 
keen,  excruciating  pain,  he  feels  that  Jesus  presses  him  even  more  closely 
to  his  great  heart  of  love,  and  lets  him  realize  the  power  of  His  divine  sym- 
pathy and  tenderness.  He  says, '  God  bless  you  all — the  kindest,  dearest 
people  that  any  pastor  ever  served.' " 

T  2 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

THE   LAST   HOURS. — SWEEPING  THROUGH   THE  GATES. 

IT  was  after  reviving  from  one  of  the  severe  paroxysms  to 
which  Mr.  Cookman  was  subject,  about  one  week  from  the  first 
attack,  that  he  had  what  may  be  regarded  as  a  remarkable  vis- 
ion. He  found  himself  just  inside  of  heaven.  He  was  first 
received  by  his  grandfather  Cookman,  who  said,  "  When  you 
were  in  England,  I  took  great  pleasure  in  showing  you  the  dif- 
ferent places  of  interest ;  now  I  welcome  you  to  heaven,  my 
grandson,  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb !"  He  was  next 
received  by  his  father — whose  features  were  as  distinct  as  when 
he  saw  him  in  his  boyhood  days — he  also  said,  "  Welcome,  my 
son,  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb !"  Then  his  brother 
George  took  him  in  his  arms,  and  said,  "  Welcome,  my  brother, 
washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb !"  And  lastly  his  son  Bru- 
ner  received  him  with  the  same  salutation — "  Welcome,  father, 
washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb !"  Each  one  of  these  in  turn 
presented  him  to  the  Throne.  When  he  told  his  wife  of  what 
he  had  seen  and  heard,  he  remarked,  "  That  was  an  abundant 
entrance."  She  asked  him  if  it  was  a  dream.  He  replied, 
"  No,  it  was  between  sleeping  and  waking."  Saint  Stephen  is 
not  the  last  of  God's  suffering,  dying  servants  who  have  seen 
heaven  opened  before  their  entrance  into  it. 

He  was  often  heard  to  repeat  the  simple  words, 
"  I'm  a  poor  sinner,  and  nothing  at  all, 
Jesus  Christ  is  my  all  in  all." 

He  now  seemed  to  understand  as  never  before  the  expression, 
"  Perfect,  or  purified  through  suffering."     "  I  have  known  for 


MESSAGES   FROM   THE   BORDER   LAND.  443 

many  years  what  it  is  to  be  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb ; 
now  I  understand  the  full  meaning  of  that  verse,  'These  are  they 
which  came  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have  washed  their  robes 
and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.'  I  used  to 
maintain  that  the  blood  was  sufficient,  but  I  am  coming  to 
know  that  tribulation  brings  us  to  the  blood  that  cleanseth." 
His  mother,  who  visited  him  frequently,  reminded  him  that  the 
Saviour  suffered  in  his  feet,  to  which  he  afterward  often  refer- 
red. "  You  know  the  nails  pierced  His  precious  feet,  and  He 
can  sympathize  with  me  in  my  sufferings.  '  In  all  their  afflic- 
tions he  was  afflicted.'  "  To  his  son  Frank  he  said,  "  The  ef- 
fect of  this  sickness  is  to  draw  me  closer  and  closer  to  the  heart 
of  Jesus." 

The  last  letters  he  wrote  will  be  read  and  cherished  as  well- 
nigh  messages  from  heaven. 

To  Miss  Howland,  of  Wilmington,  Del.,  now  the  wife  of  Rev. 
John  E.  Cookman : 

"  MONDAY,  November  6,  1871. 

"  Do  I  anticipate  ?  Nay  !  your  tender,  loving  spirit  and  my  warm  frater- 
nal feeling  constitute  you  already  a  sister  beloved. 

"  Your  sweet  letter  came  into  my  sick-room  like  a  love-bird,  and  its  carol 
of  sympathy  caused  tears  of  thankfulness  to  flow  down  my  cheeks. 

"  This  is  the  third  week  of  my  sickness.  My  physician  (a  skillful  and 
faithful  man)  will  not  allow  me  to  get  out  of  bed,  so  that  I  am  penning 
this  note  (the  first  I  have  written)  lying  on  my  back,  and  using  my  pen- 
cil as  best  I  can.  For  eight  or  nine  days  I  suffered  beyond  expression. 
Sometimes  the  spasms  of  pain,  affecting  my  entire  nervous  system,  were  al- 
most more  than  I  could  bear  (a  new  chapter  in  my  experience),  for  hitherto 
I  have  been  wonderfully  healthy  and  strong ;  and  yet,  will  you  believe  me, 
these  have  been  among  the  best  weeks  of  my  life.  When  the  pain  was 
greatest,  the  precious  Jesus  would  draw  me  closest  to  His  great  heart  of 
love,  and  whisper  in  my  spiritual  ear  some  of  His  soothing  and  inspiring 
promises. 

"  I  am  loving  more  and  more  the  will  of  my  Father  in  heaven,  for  if  it 
brings  suffering  (which  is  but  for  a  moment),  it  brings  also  an  infinite  com- 
pensation, not  only  in  the  sympathy  and  loving  kindness  of  Jesus,  but  also 
in  the  persuasion  that  our  present  afflictions  are  intended  to  work  in  us  the 


444  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness,  and  to  work  out  for  us  a  far  more  exceed- 
ing and  eternal  weight  of  glory. 

"  Of  course  I  have  had  no  painful  solicitude  respecting  the  future.  To 
the  praise  of  the  divine  grace,  I  humbly  testify  this  was  taken  away  long  ago. 
'  Perfect  love  casteth  out  fear.'  My  faith  and  hope  have  come  back  to  chee'r 
me  with  the  assurance  that  'all  is  well.' 

"  Oh  !  I  have  so  much  to  write — but  I  must  forbear. 

"  I  am,  thank  God,  on  the  upward  grade.  My  feet  are  still  so  sore  and 
weak  that  I  could  not  probably  take  two  steps,  and  then  my  system  is  greatly 
prostrated  by  reason  of  my  protracted  suffering. 

"  Tell  your  precious  mother  that  her  most  welcome  letter  of  sympathy 
and  sisterly  love  came  to  hand  this  morning.  Its  expressions  of  tender  af- 
fection quite  subdued  my  heart,  and  made  me  praise  God  for  such  warm, 
fast,  Christian  friends.  If  practicable,  I  will  be  glad  to  breathe  for  a  day  or 
two  the  sanctified  atmosphere  of  your  beautiful  home  at  Hilton. 

"  Give  my  truest  and  best  love  to  your  dear  father  and  mother  and  your 
venerated  grandparents.  God  bless  them,  and  grant  that  their  golden-wed- 
ding may  ripen  into  the  ^ry-wedding — and,  oh  !  shall  I  not  sit  down  with 
them  and  you  at  the  marriage-supper  of  the  Lamb  ?  Now  I  can  not  write 
any  more.  Good-bye,  my  sweet  sister  Meta.  Continue  to  pray  for  me. 
Yours  forever." 

To  Mrs.  Stevens,  of  Wilmington,  Del. : 

"  NEWARK,  N.  J.,  November  6, 1871. 

"  I  am  still  the  prisoner  of  the  Lord — but  oh,  what  an  honor !  what  a 
privilege  !  what  a  joy  !  Infinite  Love  is  my  Keeper,  and  the  Lord's  prison- 
houses  are  incomparably  more  desirable  than  the  gorgeous  palaces  of  wick- 
edness. 

"  This  is  now  the  third  week  of  my  affliction.  Lying  on  my  back,  I  am 
grateful -to  be  able  to  use  my  pencil  in  communing  with  the  dear  friends 
whose  tried  affection  is  cherished  among  my  heart's  richest  treasures,  and 
the  expression  of  whose  sympathy  is  so  soothing  and  welcome.  When  our 
Christian  boy  was  wrested  from  us,  no  voice  was  more  tender,  no  heart 
more  sympathizing  than  your  own.  We  have  not  forgotten  it — and  now 
that  it  pleases  the  best  of  fathers  to  afflict  your  unworthy  brother,  it  is  most 
encouraging  and  inspiring  to  know  that  that  same  true  heart  turns  to  the 
human  in  love  and  to  the  divine  in  prayer. 

"  Precious  sister,  your  prayers  have  reached  the  Throne,  and  the  gracious 
answers  have  been  blessing  me  both  in  my  body  and  my  soul.  Two  weeks 
since  I  was  struck  in  my  own  pulpit,  just  at  the  clo.se  of  the  evening  sermon. 


TRIUMPH   IN  THE   FURNACE.  445 

I  felt  my  feet  giving  way ;  I  limped  home,  I  scarcely  know  how.  Lying 
down  on  my  bed,  the  pain  rapidly  developed,  until  it  was  almost  more  than  I 
could  endure.  Confined  to  the  ankle  and  soles  of  the  feet,  it  was  as  if  that 
part  were  full  of  teeth,  and  all  were  quivering  at  the  same  moment  with  vio- 
lent, jumping  toothache.  This,  of  course,  made  the  feet  so  sore  that  I  could 
not  bear  to  have  them  touched.  The  pulsing  pain  in  the  sore  feet,  continu- 
ing day  after  day,  involved  my  whole  nervous  system,  until  in  the  paroxysms 
I  was  almost  like  one  the  victim  of  convulsions.  Oh,  the  long,  weary  nights  ! 
— the  throbbing  pain  beating  the  seconds  of  hours  that  seemed  like  little  ages. 

"  Since  Tuesday  last  I  have  had  measurable  relief,  though  prostrated  be- 
yond expression  in  my  general  system.  Owing  to  the  soreness  of  my  feet, 
and  the  condition  of  my  liver  and  other  organs,  the  doctor  insists  on  my  re- 
maining in  bed  a  few  days  longer.  I  have  thus  entered  into  detail  respect- 
ing myself,  because  I  thought  it  might  be  what  your  kind,  warm  heart  would 
desire  to  know. 

"  But  now,  turning  from  the  sick  and  suffering  man,  let  me  humbly  ac- 
knowledge that  the  inward  man,  walking  in  the  furnace,  has  been  wonder- 
fully sustained  and  enabled  to  triumph  day  after  day.  Oh,  Sister  Emily, 
how  precious  is  full  salvation  in  our  times  of  extremity  !  When  every  nerve 
was  quivering  with  agony,  the  heart  sent  up  its  blessed  testimony — '  Washed 
in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.'  I  realized,  too,  that  I  would  have  some  little 
claim  to  the  other  part  of  that  blessed  Scripture — '  These  are  they  that  have 
come  up  through  great  tribulation,'  etc.  I  could,  if  I  were  physically  able, 
fill  many  pages  with  these  experiences — all  of  grace.  Join  me  to  sing, '  Glo- 
ry to  the  Lamb.' 

"  All  the  rest  are  well,  and  send  you  and  Brother  Edward  tenderest  love. 
Do  please  write  soon  again — your  letters  are  like  so  much  light  thrown  into 
my  sick-room.  God  bless  my  Wilmington  friends." 

To  Mrs.  Stevens,  of  Wilmington,  Del. : 

"NEWARK,  November  8, 1871. 

"  To-day  they  are  allowing  me  to  sit  up  for  a  little  while.  Thank  God 
for  this  indication  of  convalescence  ;  but  I  am  still  very  much  prostrated  in 
my  physical  nature.  To  rest  my  weight  on  my  feet  or  to  take  a  single  step 
would  be  quite  out  of  the  question.  As  yet,  there  is  no  developing  appetite 
whatever.  I  nibble  a  little,  but  it  is  a  mere  matter  of  form,  or  to  make  some 
contribution  to  the  reduced  strength  of  my  system.  The  great  concern  on 
my  mind  has  been  to  know  exactly  what  is  the  will  or  design  of  my  Heav- 
enly Father  in  this  dispensation.  It  has  wonderfully  increased  my  interest 
in  and  sympathy  for  suffering  humanity.  Oh,  it  seems  to  me  I  would  most 


44^  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

willingly  rub  or  bathe  the  feet  even  of  a  suffering  brute.  It  has  realized  to 
me  the  power  and  preciousness  of  many  parts  of  Scripture  bearing  upon 
suffering — passages  that  previously  had  their  exposition  principally  in  my 
intellect.  It  has  satisfied  me  of  the  independent  action  of  the  soul,  for  when 
my  whole  lower  nature  seemed  to  be  quivering  and  quailing  through  excru- 
ciating pain,  my  higher  being  not  only  trusted,  but  triumphed  in  the  God  of 
my  salvation.  The  best  hours  of  my  illness  were  when  the  fierce  fires  of 
suffering  were  kindling  and  scorching  all  around  me.  It  has  convinced  me 
that  full  salvation  is  the  only  preparation  for  the  ten  thousand  contingencies 
that  belong  to  a  mortal  career.  Oh,  how  soothing  to  feel,  hour  by  hour, 
that  the  soul  has  been  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  to  experience 
the  inspiration  of  that  perfect  love  that  casteth  out  all  fear  that  hath  torment. 
These  with  other  lessons  have  been  most  precious  and  profitable,  and  yet 
I  can  not  but  think  that  my  faithful  Lord  has  some  ulterior  meaning  in  this 
affliction  that  is  not  as  yet  fully  or  satisfactorily  revealed.  I  want  to  sit  like 
little  Samuel,  and,  with  a  humble  and  obedient  heart,  say,  '  Speak,  Lord, 
for  thy  servant  heareth.'  God's  will  is  so  infinitely  good,  that  without  fear 
I  would  follow  where  it  leads.  Your  allusions  to  the  grassy  hillocks  in  the 
Clyde  Cemetery  were  most  tender  and  touching.  Truly,  as  you  intimate, 
those  sacred  mounds  become  our  earthly  Pisgahs.  They  lift  us  above  the 
world,  and  enable  us  to  retrospect  profitably  the  past  and  anticipate  rapt- 
urously 

"  'Canaan,  fair  and  happy  land, 
Where  our  possessions  lie.' 

"  Let  me  thank  you,  my  dear  sister,  for  your  gentle  sympathy  and  strong 
and  valued  affection.  '  A  world  in  purchase  for  such  a  friend  would  not  be 
too  dear.'  Your  beautiful  letter  was  read  again  and  again  in  my  sick-room, 
and  in  every  instance  it  lifted  me  up  in  my  thoughts  and  feelings.  Will  you 
not  remember  me  most  affectionately  to  your  beloved  daughters  ?  We  shall 
fitill  indulge  the  hope  of  sharing  with  them  the  hospitality  of  our  itinerant 
home." 

To  Mrs.  Abraham  Bruner,  his  mother-in-law  : 

"  Saturday,  November  n,  1871. 

"  I  am  writing  this  note  in  my  bod,  to  which  I  have  been  confined  for 
three  weeks.  For  some  months  past  I  have  been  far  from  well,  but  at  the 
close  of  my  sermon  on  the  evening  of  October  22  I  felt  my  feet  giving  away. 
I  limped  home,  went  to  bed,  and  for  about  nine  days  was  almost  distracted 
with  what  my  physicians  entitled  mialgia — an  acute  form  of  inflammatory 
rheumatism.  The  pain  was  confined  to  my  ankles  and  the  soles  of  my  feet. 


FONDNESS    FOR   SINGING.  447 

It  was  just  as  if  the  back  part  of  the  feet  were  filled  with  teeth,  and  all  at 
the  same  time  affected  with  violent,  jumping  toothache.  This,  of  course, 
made  my  feet  so  sore  that  I  could  scarcely  bear  to  have  them  touched. 
Then  the  pulsing  pain  in  the  sore  feet,  continuing  day  after  day,  so  involved 
my  whole  nervous  system  that  toward  the  last  it  was  almost  like  convul- 
sions. The  only  relief  that  I  got  was  through  morphine  and  chloroform. 
For  ten  days  I  have  been  relieved  of  the  pain,  but  still  am  very  sick.  Only 
once  have  I  sat  up,  and  then  returned  to  bed  with  a  raging  fever.  Fever, 
bloody  expectorations,  sore  throat,  torpid  liver,  disordered  kidneys,  absence 
of  all  appetite,  hemorrhoids,  and  great  weakness,  are  my  symptoms  at  pres- 
ent. My  physician,  Dr.  Nichols,  a  skillful  and  experienced  practitioner  of 
the  old  school,  is  very  faithful  in  coming  to  see  me  twice  a  day.  Then  my 
precious  wife  (God  bless  her  !)  has  been  unremitting  in  her  attentions.  Day 
and  night,  like  a  loving  angel,  she  has  hovered  over  my  pillow,  studying  my 
wants,  anticipating  my  wishes.  Oh,  I  can  never  repay  her  for  her  self-sac- 
rificing and  unwavering  love  !  I  fancy  she  looks  thin  through  her  constant 
nursing,  but  she  would  not  permit  any  one  to  take  her  place,  and  I  am  sure 
I  do  not  want  any  one  else. 

"  Above  all,  dear  mother,  I  have  had  the  precious  Jesus  with  me  during 
every  hour  of  my  sickness.  When  my  pains  were  most  severe,  He  would 
let  down  on  my  soul  such  a  weight  of  glory  that  I  was  obliged  to  break 
forth  in  strains  of  praise  and  joy.  Oh,  precious  mother,  how  invaluable  is 
full  salvation  in  suffering  and  in  the  prospect  of  eternity  !  To  feel  that  the 
soul  is  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  to  realize  the  perfect  love  that 
casteth  out  all  fear  that  hath  torment.  Oh,  this  is  more  than  all  the  world 
beside  ! 

"  But  I  am  weary  now.     I  can  write  no  more." 

Through  all  his  sickness  Mr.  Cookman  retained  his  fondness 
for  singing,  and  sometimes  would  have  his  wife  and  his  little 
Mary  and  Helen  on  his  bed  beside  him,  joining  in  such  hymns 
as  "  Rock  of  Ages,"  "  Oh,  how  I  love  Jesus  !"  "  I  shall  be  sat- 
isfied," "  Jesus  calls  me."  His  voice  never  seemed  fuller  and 
sweeter.  One  day  he  was  so  much  better  as  to  be  able  to  be 
out  in  the  sitting-room.  Lying  on  the  sofa,  or  reclining  in  an 
easy  chair,  his  face  wore  a  most  heavenly  expression,  and  his 
remark  upon  every  thing  around  him  was,  "  Oh,  it  is  beautiful  1" 
Seeing  a  gentleman  walking  fast  on  the  street,  he  said,  "  That 
is  the  way  I  used  to  walk.  I  wonder  if  I  ever  shall  walk  that 


448  LIFE   OF  ALFRED  COOKMAN. 

way  again  ?"  His  wife  remarked, "  Certainly ;"  but  he  seemed 
to  doubt  it.  On  the  last  evening  that  he  sat  up,  his  sister  Mary 
being  present,  he  asked  them  to  sing, 

"  Oh,  it  was  love,  it  was  wondrous  love  !" 

and  other  spiritual  songs.  He  retired  about  nine  o'clock,  and 
that  was  the  last  time  the  family  sung  together. 

One  day  he  said  to  his  wife,  "  Do  you  know  what  I  have  been 
doing?  I  have  been  counting  my  friends."  When  told  that  it 
was  impossible,  he  had  so  many,  and  that  he  could  not  have  an 
enemy,  "  No,"  he  remarked,  "  I  do  not  know  that  I  have.  God 
has  been  very  good  to  me,  but  you  know  there  are  some  very 
special  friends." 

Never  was  Mr.  Cookman  more  devoted  to  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren than  now.  Having  consecrated  his  children  to  God  from 
their  birth,  he  confidently  trusted  them  with  the  Heavenly  Fa- 
ther. Every  day  he  wished  them  all  brought  to  his  bedside ; 
especially  the  youngest,  his  baby  boy,  Alfred,  whom  he  called 
his  sunshine,  he  would  have  on  his  bed  and  play  with  him  by 
the  hour.  His  little  Willie  said  to  him  one  day,  "  Papa,  do  you 
think  you  will  ever  bathe  in  the  ocean  again  ?"  "  No,  darling, 
I  reckon  these  feet  will  never  touch  that  graveled  walk  again." 
He  even  taught  his  boys  to  recite  pieces,  heard  his  daughter 
Annie  recite  a  hymn,  was  so  cheerful  that  all  thought  him  con- 
valescent, and,  indeed,  no  one  thought  him  critically  ill  until 
the  day  of  his  death. 

On  Saturday,  the  nth  of  November,  Dr.  J.  M.  Ward,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  visited  and  prayed  with  him. 
The  Doctor  afterward  gave  an  account  of  the  visit  in  The  Guide 
to  Holiness? 

"  I  saw  our  dear  Brother  Alfred  Cookman  just  two  days  before  he  left  us. 
Committing  to  me  at  that  time  the  care  of  his  weekly  meeting  for  the  pro- 
motion of  holiness,  he  added,  '  I  shall  be  out  in  a  week  or  two,  and  will  re- 
sume the  care  of  it  myself.'  So  he  doubtless  thought ;  but  the  dear  Lord 

*  July,  1872. 


THE   SWEET   WILL   OF   GOD.  449 

had  other  service  for  him  above.  He  was  sitting  in  his  chair  by  the  bed- 
side, his  face  glowing  with  heavenly  brightness.  To  speak  was  painful  to 
him,  from  soreness  of  the  throat ;  and  yet  so  full,  even  to  overflowing,  was 
his  heart  with  the  love  of  Christ,  that  he  could  not  refrain  from  talking. 
As  truly  might  it  have  been  said  of  him,  as  of  one  of  old,  'the  love  of  Christ 
constraineth  me  ;'  for  his  utterances  were  such  as  the  Holy  Spirit  only  could 
give. 

"  In  answer  to  a  question  as  to  his  sufferings  during  the  week,  he  said, 
'  They  have  been  excruciating,  and  yet  so  gloriously  has  Jesus  manifested 
Himself  to  me  in  them  all  that  I  have  been  immensely  the  gainer  from  them. 
Such  views  of  Christ's  presence  with  me — such  views  of  His  cleansing  blood 
have  I  had  as  never  before.  Oh,  the  precious  blood  !'  he  exclaimed.  Then, 
with  an  upward  glancing  of  his  eye,  his  head  leaning  backward  upon  the 
chair,  he  repeated,  '  Oh,  the  precious  blood,  the  precious  cleansing  blood 
of  Jesus !' 

"No  marvel  that  he  was  getting  clearer  views  of  the  precious  blood  under 
clearer  manifestations  of  Christ  to  him,  for  he  was  ripening  most  wonder- 
fully, all  unconscious  to  himself  and  us  all,  for  his  entrance  upon  his  heav- 
enly inheritance  ;  he  was  being  '  made  meet '  for  the  abundant  entrance  so 
soon  to  be  administered  to  him  into  the  heavenly  Jerusalem.  *  *  * 

"  The  prayer  was  ended,  in  a  moment  more  the  parting  was  said,  while 
hand  was  pressing  hand,  and  the  interview  closed.  But  the  glory  filling  the 
chamber  of  the  sainted  one  seemed  still  to  encircle  me  all  the  way  home- 
ward, giving  character  to  my  first  utterances  to  friends,  as  I  said, '  Oh,  what 
a  blessed  interview  with  Brother  Cookman  this  afternoon  !' " 

During  the  doctor's  prayer  he  would  frequently  respond, 
"The  sweet  will  of  God."  To  his  sister  he  said  the  same  day, 
"  If  I  could  have  life  on  earth  by  the  lifting  of  my  hand,  I  would 
not.  If  Jesus  should  ask  me,  'Would  I  live  or  die?1  I  would 
answer,  '  I  refer  it  back  to  Thee.'  "  To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dunn,  in 
his  last  interview,  he  said,  "  I  wish  that  I  could  tell  you  how 
precious  Jesus  has  been  to  me  during  my  sickness.  I  have  had 
such  viewrs  of  Him  as  I  never  had  before.  Right  in  the  midst 
of  my  intensest  sufferings  He  has  so  manifested  Himself  to  me 
that  I  have  been  lifted  above  them  all." 

He  remarked  to  his  wife,  "  God  means  something  by  this 
sickness  ;  He  is  either  fitting  me  for  greater  usefulness  here  or 


45°  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

for  heaven.  I  am  lying  passive  in  His  hands,  trying  to  learn 
the  lessons  He  would  teach  me.  I  am  sitting  in  the  hands  of 
the  Heavenly  Artist."  To  one  of  his  official  members  he  used 
substantially  these  words :  "  My  Church  is  very  dear  to  me ; 
my  wife  and  children  are  very  precious;  my  friends  are  dear 
to  me ;  but  the  sweet  will  of  God  I  love  better  than  all  else ;  I 
have  no  choice  to  live  or  die.  God  has  some  design  in  this 
sickness — Jesus  is  very  precious."  Often  he  would  repeat,  "  Lo ! 
I  am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world."  The  same 
evening  the  Rev.  William  McDonald  and  two  members  of  the 
Church  visited  him ;  he  enjoyed  seeing  them,  and  during  prayer 
there  was  an  extraordinary  sense  of  the  divine  presence. 

Sunday,  his  last  Sabbath  on  earth,  was  a  beautiful  day.  He 
requested  his  wife  to  open  the  window  and  let  the  bright  sun- 
shine in  the  room,  remarking,  "The  beams  of  the  Sun  of  Right- 
eousness are  shining  around  me.  Glory  all  around !"  He  re- 
quested to  be  sung — 

"  Come,  ye  sinners,  poor  and  needy, 
Weak  and  wounded,  sick  and  sore ;" 

and  said,  "That  grand  old  hymn  !  Yes,  I  am  weak  and  wounded, 
sick  and  sore."  ' 

He  was  very  earnest  all  day  in  praying  for  the  ministers  and 
the  preaching  of  the  Word.  In  the  afternoon  Mr.  McDonald 
visited  him  again,  and  they  conversed  closely  and  fully  on  the 
subject  of  holiness.  He  said  among  other  things  to  this  friend, 
"  I  have  tried  to  preach  holiness.  I  have  honestly  declared  it; 
and  oh !  what  a  comfort  it  is  to  me  now.  I  have  been  true  to 
holiness ;  and  now  Jesus  saves  me — saves  me  fully.  I  am  wash- 
ed and  made  clean.  Oh,  I  am  so  sweetly  washed  in  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb  !"  That  evening  he  became  extremely  weak,  and 
so  sensitive  to  pain  that  he  could  not  bear  the  least  noise,  and 
yet  he  was  tender  and  quiet  without  the  slightest  manifestation 
of  impatience,  and  so  considerate  that  when  he  heard  the  voice 
of  one  of  the  brethren  in  an  adjoining  room  he  asked  to  see 


HEAVENLY   VISITANTS.  451 

him.  The  friend  remarked,  "Why,  my  pastor,  you  are  all  fixed 
up — collar  on  and  wrapper  on."  "Ah,"  he  replied,  "your  pastor 
has  not  much  strength ;  the  outward  is  failing,  but  all  is  right 
within." 

Quite  early  Monday  morning  he  asked  his  wife  the  question, 
"  Where  will  you  live,  in  Columbia  or  Philadelphia  ?"  Affected 
to  tears  she  replied,  "  Why  do  you  ask  me  that  question  ?  I 
could  not  live  any  where  without  you."  Seeing  her  feel  thus,  he 
sweetly  said,  "  I  thought  I  would  like  to  know."  This  was  the 
first  morning  he  was  unable  to  shave  himself;  he  was  very 
weak,  and  he  evidently  was  impressed  that  his  end  was  ap- 
proaching. He  asked  his  wife  again,  "  My  dear,  if  the  Lord 
should  take  me  away  from  you,  could  you  say, '  The  will  of  the 
Lord  be  done  !' "  She,  startled  at  the  question,  replied,  "  I  feel 
that  you  belong  to  the  Lord,  I  have  always  felt  so,  but  I  do  not 
believe  He  is  going  to  take  you  away  from  me."  He  responded, 
"  God's  will  is  always  right  and  best,  dear."  "  But,"  she  said, 
"how  can  I  live  without  you?"  He  replied,  "Jesus  can  be 
every  thing  to  you;  He  has  been  with  us  in  the  past,  and  He 
will  never  leave  nor  forsake  you.  You  know  the  Bible  is  full 
of  promises  for  the  widow  and  fatherless.  Live  a  moment  at  a 
time, '  looking  unto  Jesus ;'  and  then,  if  permitted,  I  will  be  with 
you  often ;  I  will  be  your  guardian  angel,  and  be  the  first  to 
meet  you  at  the  pearly  gate." 

His  mother  spent  most  of  Monday  with  him.  While  she  was 
present  he  lost  the  use  of  his  hand.  He  remarked,  as  he  looked 
at  it,  "  This  hand  seems  paralyzed,  but  it  belongs  to  Jesus"  He 
then  repeated  part  of  the  hymn — 

"  God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way." 

His  mother  said,  "  I  feel  it  a  privilege,  Alfred,  to  be  in  this 
room,  there  is  such  a  divine  influence ;  it  seems  like  the  gate 
of  heaven."  He  responded,  "  Yes,  there  are  heavenly  visit- 
ants here."  About  five  o'clock  P.M.  she  left  him  to  return 
to  her  home  in  New  York,  not  supposing  him  to  be  near  death. 


452  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

As  she  was  kissing  him  good-bye,  he  held  her  hand,  and, 
gazing  into  her  eyes,  he  said,  "  Next  to  Jesus,  mother,  I  owe 
every  thing  to  you.  Your  holy  influence,  your  godly  example, 
your  wise  counsels  have  made  me  the  Christian  and  the  minis- 
ter that  I  am."  To  his  brother  John  he  said,  "John,  you  have 
been  a  mercy  to  me — mercy  is  written  on  your  brow.  My  friends 
are  all  a  mercy  to  me.  I  am  not  afraid  to  die.  Death  is  the 
gate  to  endless  glory ;  I  am  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb" 
He  desired  to  see  his  sister-in-law,  Miss  Rebecca  Bruner,  who 
had  just  arrived  from  Columbia,  Pennsylvania,  and  after  inquir- 
ing for  the  loved  ones  at  home,  he  said  to  her, "  This  is  the 
sickest  day  of  my  life,  but  all  is  well ;  I  am  so  glad  I  have 
preached  full  salvation ;  what  would  I  do  without  it  now  ?  If 
you  forget  every  thing  else,  remember  my  testimony — WASHED 
IN  THE  BLOOD  OF  THE  LAMB  !  Jesus  is  drawing  me  closer  and 
closer  to  His  great  heart  of  infinite  love."  To  his  wife  he  said, 
"I  am  Christ's  little  infant;  just  as  you  fold  your  little  babe  to 
your  bosom,  so  I  am  nestled  close  to  the  heart  of  Jesus." 
Shortly  afterward  his  oldest  son,  George,  returning  from  New 
York,  came  into  the  room  ;  looking  up  to  him, he  said,  "My  son, 
your  pa  has  been  all  day  long  sweeping  dose  by  the  gates  of 
death."  At  his  request  he  was  removed  to  the  other  side  of  the 
bed,  when  he  remarked,  "  How  sweet  and  quiet  every  thing 
seems;  I  feel  like  resting  now."  Very  soon  he  became  sick 
at  the  stomach,  and  immediately  an  effusion  of  the  brain  took 
place,  when  he  became  insensible  to  outward  things,  and  within 
about  four  hours,  at  eleven  o'clock  P.M.,  surrounded  by  his 
family  and  the  trustees  of  his  Church,  he  died,  sweeping  through 
the  gates  of  Paradise,  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.* 
Thus,  on  the  i3th  of  November,  1871,  passed  to  the  bosom 

*  It  docs  not  appear  from  the  most  accurate  evidence  that  Mr.  Cookman 
said  literally,  "  I  am  sweeping  through  the  gates,  washed  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb  ;"  yet  his  expressions,  when  put  together,  certainly  justify  the  phrase 
which  has  obtained  popular  currency  as  his  dying  testimony. 


INTELLIGENCE  OF  HIS  DEATH.  453 

of  God,  in  the  prime  of  his  life,  one  of  the  most  saintly,  earnest, 
and  useful  men  of  modern  times.  His  dying  testimony  carries 
us  back  to  the  glowing  record  of  St.  Ignatius,  when  yearning  for 
martyrdom  :  "  Suffer  me  to  imitate  the  passion  of  my  God. 
My  Love  is  crucified;  there  is  no  fire  in  me  desiring  earthly 
fuel ;  that  which  lives  and  speaks  within  me  says — '  Home  to 
the  Father.' " 

The  intelligence  of  Mr.  Cookman's  death  spread  rapidly,  and 
was  every  where  received  with  astonishment  and  pain.  His 
most  intimate  friends,  even  those  who  had  seen  him  during  his 
illness,  were  shocked  at  its  suddenness.  The  thought  of  death 
had  not  been  really  associated  with  one  who  had  moved  so  re- 
cently among  men  with  a  vigor  which  promised  a  long  and 
healthful  life.  The  shock  at  his  sudden  death  was  only  ex- 
ceeded by  the  universal  grief  which  it  caused.  It  was  as  though 
"one  were  dead  in  every  house"  where  he  was  known  or  the 
odor  of  his  sanctity  had  entered.  It  is  a  question  if  the  mys- 
terious loss  of  his  father,  though  it  may  have  gathered  about  it 
more  romantic  interest,  excited  a  more  general  and  profound 
grief.  "  When  I  heard  of  his  death,"  writes  a  gentleman  from 
Philadelphia,  "I  spent  a  week  silently  in  tears."  Exclaimed 
an  old  colored  woman  in  Wilmington  when  told  of  his  death, 
"Dat  man  gone  straight  to  glory."  His  family,  his  Church,  the 
churches  which  he  had  previously  served,  were  overwhelmed 
with  sorrow.  From  private  persons  and  public  bodies,  from 
both  the  secular  and  religious  press,  there  teemed  the  most  ten- 
der expressions  of  regret  and  condolence. 

The  funeral  services  took  place  in  the  Central  Church,  Mar- 
ket Street,  Newark,  at  three  P.M.,  on  Thursday,  the  i6th.  The 
following  account  appeared  the  next  week  in  TJie  New  York 
Christian  Advocate  : 

"  The  parsonage  was  filled  at  the  funeral  with  ministers,  chiefly  Method- 
ist, but  also  of  other  denominations,  who  appeared  subdued  by  the  feeling 
that  a  very  afflictive  and  mysterious  dispensation  had  fallen  upon  the  Church 


454  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

and  the  family  in  the  unexpected  removal  of  Brother  Cookman.  The  plate 
on  the  beautiful  coffin  told  the  age  of  the  deceased  to  be  forty-four;  and 
pure,  sweet  flowers  rested  on  either  end,  at  the  foot  in  the  shape  of  a  cross, 
at  the  head  in  that  of  a  crown. 

"  At  2:30  P.M.  the  procession  moved  from  the  house,  the  family  and  bear- 
ers in  carriages,  followed  by  the  officers  of  the  Church,  and  perhaps  a  hun- 
dred clergymen  from  far  and  from  near.  One  of  the  most  affecting  sights 
of  the  occasion  was  the  little  children  of  our  departed  brother  about  the 
coffin  and  in  the  procession,  evidently  not  old  enough  to  appreciate  the  full- 
ness of  their  loss.  The  church — pulpit,  altar,  gallery,  choir — was  heavily 
draped  in  mourning,  and  crowded  in  every  part,  including  the  aisles,  out 
into  the  street,  by  a  deeply  sympathizing  congregation.  In  the  pulpit  were 
Bishop  Simpson,  Rev.  De  Witt  Talmage,  Dr.  Porter,  Dr.  Crane,  Rev.  Mr. 
McDonald,  and  others;  the  altar  also,  and  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
centre  of  the  church,  were  occupied  by  brother  clergymen.  The  opening 
anthem  came  soothingly, '  Cast  thy  burden  on  the  Lord.' 

"  Rev.  S.  Van  Benschoten  read  Psalm  xc.,  and  Mr.  Talmage  I  Cor.  xv., 
when  the*  venerable  Dr.  Porter  led  in  a  solemn  and  appropriate  prayer. 
Rev.  Bishop  Simpson  then  addressed  the  hushed  audience.*  Throughout 
the  bishop's  manner  was  very  subdued,  as  though  struggling  to  repress  the 
rising  of  a  great  sorrow. 

"  Rev.  Mr.  McDonald  then  rose  and  spoke  of  Brother  Cookman  in  his 
relation  to  holiness  and  the  National  Camp-meeting  Association.!  The 
choir  sang  '  White  Robes,'  and  the  deeply  affected  congregation  took  their 
last  loving  look  at  their  beloved  pastor  and  friend." 

After  the  services  the  remains  were  carried  to  Philadelphia, 
accompanied  by  the  family,  members  of  the  National  Camp- 
meeting  Committee,  and  a  large  delegation  from  the  Central 
Church.  They  were  deposited  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Frank  Cook- 
man, whence  the  next  day  they  were  escorted  to  the  Union 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  on  Fourth  Street,  where  additional 
funeral  services  took  place  in  presence  of  a  densely  crowded 
congregation.  As  the  clergy  walked  slowly  into  the  church, 
the  strains  of  the  "  Dead  March  from  Saul "  helped  to  deepen 
the  solemnity  of  the  scene.  An  anthem  was  then  sung  by  the 
choir,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Nevin,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  read 

-»  See  Chapter  XXVI.,  p.  469.  t  Ibid.,  p.  474- 


FUNERAL   SERVICES,  CONTINUED.  455 

the  Scriptures.  Rev.  J.  Dickerson  announced  the  hymn, "  Serv- 
ant of  God,  well  done,"  which  was  sung  by  the  congregation; 
and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pattison  offered  prayer.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Sud- 
dards,  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  after  reading  anoth- 
er scriptural  lesson,  addressed  the  audience,  in  which  he  made 
feeling  allusion  to  his  intimacy  with  the  Rev.  George  G.  Cook- 
man,  and  paid  a  high  tribute  to  the  excellence  and  usefulness 
of  both  father  and  son.  The  Rev.  Andrew  Longacre  next  fol- 
lowed in  an  extended  address,  relating  to  the  character,  la- 
bors, and  death  of  the  deceased.*  The  Rev.  Mr.  Alday,  pas- 
tor of  Union  Church,  then  spoke  more  particularly  of  the  last 
sickness  of  the  departed.  The  closing  address  was  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  (now  Bishop)  Foster,  of  Drew  Theological  Seminary,  New 
Jersey,  who  spoke  substantially  as  follows  : 

"Alfred  Cookman  belonged  to  a  royalty.  There  are  many  royalties  of 
earth;  there  is  the  royalty  of  genius,  but  I  should  not  class  our  brother  with 
these — he  was  not  a  genius.  There  is  the  royalty  of  intellect;  of  scientific 
research;  of  the  power  to  unfold  great  doctrines  and  grasp  great  principles. 
Though  a  man  of  a  beautiful  mind,  a  clear  and  strong  intellect,  the  range 
and  sweep  of  his  observation  was  not  his  most  wonderful  gift  There  is  a 
royalty  of  eloquence :  our  brother  was  not  wanting  in  this;  he  seemed  to  be- 
long to  a  race  whose  lips  were  strangely  touched. 

"  But  he  belonged  to  a  royalty  rarer  by  far  than  any  of  these — the  seraphic 
royalty  of  earth.  He  was  not  Pauline,  but  he  was  Johanine.  He  was  the 
brother  of  John,  who  leaned  upon  the  Master's  breast,  from  whom  he  drew 
his  inspiration.  He  belonged  to  the  race  of  Fletcher  and  of  Payson — the 
best  and  rarest  royalty  God  has  ever  permitted  to  grace  the  earth. 

"  \Vhen  the  brother  prayed  that  the  mantle  of  Alfred  Cookman  might  fall 
on  us,  I  said, '  Amen,  Lord  Jesus.'  Not  his  mantle  of  eloquence  or  pulpit 
power,  so  much  as  his  great,  magnanimous,  holy,  and  sacred  character. 

"  As  my  little  boy  brought  the  message  of  the  death  of  Alfred  Cookman 
to  my  lecture-room,  he  knew  how  it  would  strike  me;  he  knew  he  had  min- 
istered at  the  altar  where  his  sainted  mother  and  sister  used  to  worship;  so 
he  said  in  a  whisper,  '  Father,  Brother  Cookman  is  dead.'  Oh,  how  it 
shocked  me  !  I  thought  at  once  that  the  most  sacred  man  I  knew  had  gone 

*  See  Chapter  XXVI.,  p.  476. 


456  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

away  from  us;  and  this  is  my  testimony  to-day.  I  have  known  the  Church 
for  thirty  years;  I  have  known  the  men  of  the  Church  during  that  time 
through  all  the  episcopacy  and  ministry;  and  the  most  sacred  man  I  have 
known  is  he  who  is  enshrined  in  that  casket." 

"  The  casket  was  then  opened,  and  the  large  concourse  pres- 
ent were  permitted,  moving  up  the  central  aisles  and  retiring 
by  the  rear  doors,  to  see  the  face  they  shall  look  upon  no  more 
till  resurrection  morning.  Many  as  they  passed  bent  over  and 
imprinted  a  kiss  on  the  cold  lips  and  marble  brow,  which  wore 
the  natural  expression  and  sweetest  smile,  remembered  so  well 
by  all  who  knew  him  in  life.  Tears  fell  freely  as  the  scores 
whom  he  had  led  to  Jesus  bade  him  a  last  farewell."  The 
preparations  for  burial  followed  ;  and  Rev.  Messrs.  Gillingham, 
Turner,  Dickerson,  Major,  and  A.  Wallace,  surviving  members 
of  the  class  of  1848,  Philadelphia  Conference,  of  which  Mr. 
Cookman  was  a  member,  carried  the  body  of  their  classmate 
to  the  hearse  in  waiting,  and  also  to  the  grave  in  Laurel  Hill 
Cemetery,  where  the  burial  service  was  read  by  the  Rev.  W.  L. 
Gray,  Dr.  Pattison,  and  Dr.  J.  H.  Alday.  The  hymn  "  Rock  of 
Ages"  was  sung — he  having  expressed  when  in  health  a  liking 
for  singing  at  Christians'  graves — and  just  before  sunset  his 
body  was  committed  to  the  earth.  Laurel  Hill,  hitherto  his 
Pisgah,  was  now  his  last  resting-place. 

Memorial  services  were  held  in  many  of  the  churches  of  Phil- 
adelphia ;  in  Grace  Church,  Wilmington ;  in  Central  Church, 
Newark;  and  also  in  Trinity  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  New 
York.  The  trustees  of  the  Central  Church,  Newark,  have  had 
a  Gothic  tablet  of  Italian  marble  placed  in  the  audience-room 
of  their  church,  in  the  wall  at  the  right  of  the  pulpit,  with  this 
inscription  : 

"  En  tfSemora?  of  2£eb.  SUfrefc  (Eooftman. 

BORN  JANUARY  4,  1828. 

DIED  NOVEMBER  13,  1871. 

'He  walked  with  Cod  and  was  not,  for  God  took  Aim.' " 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

ESTIMATES  OF  THE  LIFE  AND  CHARACTER  OF  ALFRED  COOKMAN. 

WE  have  thus  seen  the  earth  close  over  all  that  was  mortal  of 
Alfred  Cookman.  I  have  sought  so  to  weave  into  the  narrative 
of  his  life  the  traits  which  distinguished  him,  as  they  appeared 
not  only  to  myself,  but  also  to  others,  that  now  there  seems 
but  little  need  from  me  for  any  special  characterization  of  the 
man  or  his  work.  Yet  it  may  not  be  amiss,  before  dismiss- 
ing a  subject  which  I  have  studied  with  constantly  increasing 
interest,  to  briefly  sum  up  my  thoughts. 

It  has  seldom  fallen  to  any  man  to  possess  a  nature  in  all 
respects  so  admirably  attempered  as  his  was.  He  inherited 
the  physical  and  intellectual  qualities  of  both  his  father  and 
mother,  the  distinctive  type  being  possibly  rather  that  of  his 
mother  than  his  father  —  having  much  of  the  father's  fiery 
creative  energy,  he  yet  partook  more  largely  of  his  moth- 
er's strong  common-sense.  In  body  he  was  more  robust  than 
his  father ;  in  intellect  he  was  less  bold  and  incisive,  but  prob- 
ably equally  sure,  and  even  more  tenacious.  From  a  child 
he  was  healthful.  When  grown,  in  person  he  stood  about  five 
feet  nine  inches,  and  was  well  proportioned,  with  a  full,  round 
chest,  a  head  of  medium  size,  not  a  prominent  forehead,  sur- 
mounted and  surrounded  by  rich,  glossy  black  hair ;  his  eyes 
were  gray,  large  and  full,  with  a  gentle,  lustrous,  rather  than  a 
piercing  look.;  his  nose  was  straight,  with  sufficiently  distend- 
ed nostrils ;  his  mouth  wide,  lips  moderately  full,  well  set,  but 
not  too  tightly  compressed,  showing  an  expression  of  mingled 
tenderness  and  firmness ;  a  chin  round,  smoothly  shaven,  and 
massive  enough  for  strength — the  whole  face  just  such  as  to 

tr 


LIFE   OF   ALFRED  COOKMAN. 

make  you  say  when  you  had  the  hastiest  view  of  it,  "  There  is 
a  marked  and  trustworthy  man."  With  a  ruddy  complexion, 
a  sinewy  form,  a  steady  step,  an  erect  carriage,  he  looked  like 
one  born  to  command,  and  he  did  command. 

Mr.  Cookman's  fine  physical  fibre  had  much  to  do  with  the 
exquisite  delicacy  of  his  feelings.  Truly  natural,  without  the 
least  artificiality,  he  responded  healthfully  to  all  the  works  of 
God  about  him,  and  was  never  more  at  home  than  when  sur- 
rounded by  primitive  scenes  and  primitive  people.  He  was 
very  practical ;  the  farthest  removed  from  an  affectation  of  su- 
periority to  common  matter-of-fact  life,  he  ever  manifested  a 
keen  zest  in  all  the  ordinary  occurrences  of  the  family  and  the 
world.  "  There  was  nothing  human  which  was  foreign  to  him," 
in  the  sense  that  whatever  interested  his  fellow-men  interest- 
ed him.  He  never  fell  into  the  mistake  of  a  morbid  senti- 
mentalism  which  shuts  itself  away  from  men  and  things  under 
the  plea  of  contempt  for  mankind.  He  was  truly  modest, 
shrinking  whenever  possible  from  observation,  and  "  wondering 
what  the  churches  saw  in  him  that  they  should  desire  his  poor 
services."  The  lowest  seat  suited  him  best,  and  was  inva- 
riably taken  if  the  choice  were  left  to  him,  and  no  man  ever 
more  surely  fulfilled  the  apostolic  injunction,  "In  honor  prefer- 
ring one  another." 

Generosity  was  strongly  marked  in  his  character.  While  he 
was  incapable  of  retaining  a  grudge  against  an  enemy,  to  his 
friends  he  was  unbounded  in  his  devotion.  He  could  not  say 
too  much  in  their  praise  or  do  too  much  for  their  advantage. 
This  quality  made  him  charming  as  a  pastor — no  matter  if  the 
circle  of  his  friendship  was  constantly  enlarging,  he  had  ca- 
pacity for  its  ever-widening  increase — because  he  riever  seemed 
to  forget  or  overlook  any  one  he  had  ever  loved  ;  and  into  the 
circumstances  of  all  people,  whether  of  joy  or  grief,  he  could 
enter  with  an  ease  and  directness  which  made  all  who  were 
the  recipients  of  his  sympathy  feel  its  genuineness.  During  his 


GENEROSITY. — FILIAL  AFFECTION.  459 

last  sickness  a  gentleman  called  to  tell  him  of  the  death  of  his 
boy.  He  entered  promptly  into  the  afflicted  father's  feelings, 
and  in  comforting  him  said, "  Dear  brother,  the  heart  will  ache. 
It  is  not  wrong  to  weep.  Jesus  wept,  and  He  does  sympa- 
thize with  us ;  but  remember  Jesus  can  dwell  in  an  aching 
heart."  A  day  or  two  afterward  the  child  was  buried.  It  was 
a  stormy  day,  and  as  Mr.  Cookman  lay  upon  his  bed  he  was 
heard  to  pray  that  God  would  comfort  the  bereaved  family, 
"  for,  Lord,  it  is  hard  to  put  away  the  little  darling  on  such  a 
stormy  day." 

This  generosity  of  heart  made  him  very  kind  to  the  poor.  It 
was  not  an  uncommon  thing  for  him  either  to  send  or  to  take 
a  basket  of  provisions  to  a  destitute  family,  and  oftener  than 
otherwise  a  substantial  sum  of  money  accompanied  the  basket. 
Generosity,  natural  as  it  was,  took  shape  under  Christian  prin- 
ciples, and  was  not  allowed  to  spend  itself  impulsively.  The 
one  tenth  of  his  income  was  dedicated  to  strictly  religious  uses. 
The  benevolent  drawer  as  regularly  received  its  tithe  deposit 
as  his  pocket  received  the  stated  dues  on  account  of  salary  or 
from  other  sources.  Closely  joined  with  this  dedication  of 
himself  and  a  stated  proportion  of  his  income  to  God,  was  a 
firm  faith  in  the  care  of  divine  Providence.  There  were  times 
when,  with  a  large  family,  he  was  reduced  to  great  straits ;  but 
he  would  always  take  his  burden  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  some- 
how, often  in  a  way  wholly  unexpected,  relief  would  come. 
During  these  exigencies  his  liberality  remained  the  same  to 
others.  "Their  need,"  he  would  say,  "may  be  greater  than 
mine." 

One  of  the  most  lovely  features  of  Mr.  Cookman's  character 
was  his  filial  affection.  He  revered  the  memory  of  his  father, 
and  loved  his  mother  with  a  devotion  which  led  him  to  sit  at 
her  feet  as  a  little  child.  The  recollections  he  retained  of  his 
father,  which  were  sedulously  cherished  by  the  mother,  invest- 
ed the  departed  parent  with  a  halo  which,  to  the  fervid  imag- 


460  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

ination  of  the  son,  lifted  him  to  a  region  ideally  apart  and  un- 
approachable. The  fame  of  the  father  was  the  son's  natural 
inheritance,  and  as  such  he  sought  to  preserve  and  improve 
upon  it.  And  it  is  doubtful  if  Christian  biography  affords  many 
instances  where  a  guardianship  has  been  more  faithfully  ren- 
dered, or  an  inheritance  more  legitimately  and  substantially  en- 
larged. Alfred  Cookman  will  live  in  the  Church  of  the  future 
as  in  all  respects  a  worthy  successor  of  his  father,  the  Rev. 
George  G.  Cookman.  That  the  son  owed  much  to  the  father 
can  not  be  denied ;  but  where  has  a  son  so  well  maintained 
himself  on  heights  upon  which  his  father's  reputation  placed 
him? 

More,  however,  to  the  mother  did  he  owe  than  to  any  other 
human  being.  I  may  repeat  the  thought  of  another  and  say, 
Mrs.  Mary  Cookman  was  mother  of  the  body  and  soul  of  her 
son.  What  Wordsworth  so  justly  and  gratefully  said  of  his  sis- 
ter, Alfred  could  have  said  of  his  mother  : 

"  She  gave  me  eyes,  she  gave  me  ears; 
And  humble  cares,  delicate  fears  ; 
A  heart,  the  fountain  of  sweet  tears, 
And  love,  and  thought,  and  joy." 

Her  native  sense,  delicate  tact,  moral  ascendency,  firmness  of 
discipline,  religious  fervor,  feminine  tenderness,  and  withal  de- 
votion to  her  son,  which  well-nigh  inwardly  consumed  her  with 
zeal  for  his  welfare,  afforded  the  happy  combination  of  qualities 
which  simultaneously  and  continuously  stirred  and  guided  the 
natural  powers  of  her  first-born.  She  never  allowed  him  to 
outgrow  her,  and  hence  he  never  ceased  to  look  up  to  her.  In 
his  middle  age  he  could  as  confidently  rely  upon  her  under- 
standing as  upon  her  heart ;  and  to  the  fact  of  this  mother's 
influence  may  be  largely  traced  not  only  the  womanly  grace  of 
his  mind  and  manner,  but  also  the  subtle  force  and  reliable 
judgment  which  distinguished  his  career. 

In  seeking  for  the  ultimate  cause  of  Mr.  Cookman's  power, 


MORAL   AND    INTELLECTUAL   FORCE.  461 

I  am  obliged  to  find  it  in  his  moral  nature.  Religion,  built 
upon  a  sound,  natural  basis,  was  the  real  source  of  his  influence. 
It  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  man  without  considering  the 
joint  and  reciprocal  effects  of  both  his  natural  and  spiritual  con- 
stitution, for  their  interaction  was  marked  from  the  beginning. 
This  may  be  true  of  most  men,  but  it  was  eminently  so  of  him. 
These  pages  have  certainly  shown  him  to  be  a  singularly  god- 
ly person  through  his  whole  life ;  the  testimony  of  many  who 
knew  him  most  intimately,  and  who  were  well  qualified  by  their 
good  sense  and  opportunities  of  observation  to  judge,  is  to  the 
effect  that  he  was  one  of  the  holiest  of  men,  as  free  from  moral 
taint  as  any  among  whom  he  walked.  A  factor  so  important 
in  the  make-up  of  his  character  can  not  be  disregarded  in  the 
determination  of  his  intellectual  calibre.  That  his  religious 
condition  did  affect  his  intellectual  condition  can  not  be  ques- 
tioned ;  nor  do  I  pretend  to  doubt,  but  claim  it  rather  as  a 
glory,  that  the  distinctive  energy  of  Mr.  Cookman  was  spiritual 
rather  than  intellectual. 

But  I  am  not  willing  to  concede  that  this  energy  was  so  ex- 
clusively moral  as  some  assert.  He  did  not  owe  all  he  was  to 
religion — no,  not  to  that  highest  type  of  it,  Christian  holiness — 
in  the  sense  that  he  could  have  been  nothing,  and  would  have 
had  no  marked  power  without  it.  He  possessed  by  nature  a 
very  vigorous  mind.  Its  structure  was  such  that  with  the  ordi- 
nary opportunities  of  education  it  would  have  put  him  in  the 
foremost  ranks  in  almost  any  profession  he  might  have  chosen. 
He  was  endowed  with  all  the  essential  elements  of  success — a 
discriminating  judgment,  a  retentive  memory,  a  vivid  fancy,  a 
strong  imagination,  which  saw  things  most  clearly,  a  sympathiz- 
ing heart,  a  power  of  application  and  adaptation ;  these,  united 
to  a  handsome  person  and  a  voice  of  wondrous  compass  and 
melody,  must  be  accepted  as  the  faculties  which  ordinarily  war- 
rant success.  Genius,  in  the  highest  sense,  seldom  falls  to 
mortals ;  but  if  in  its  usual  and  lower  sense  it  consists  in  the 


462  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

power  which  enables  a  man  to  see  things  as  they  are,  and  to 
transfuse  them  with  a  glow  which  makes  other  men  see  and 
feel  them,  then  may  we  claim  it  for  Mr.  Cookman.  What  he 
talked  about  people  saw  and  felt. 

It  is  true  that  he  has  given  no  proofs  of  profound  scholar- 
ship, and  that  he  has  left  no  evidence  of  fierce  intellectual 
struggles  and  doubts.  But  it  will  be  remembered  that  his  ca- 
reer was  thrust  upon  him,  by  a  Providence  he  could  not  disre- 
gard, to  be  a  preacher  rather  than  a  theologian.  The  work  of 
the  evangelist  was  definitively  pointed  out  as  his  mission,  and 
not  the  work  of  the  student.  His  vocation  was  consequently 
to  make  history,  not  to  write  it.  An  actor  in  one  of  the  most 
important  crises  of  the  American  Church  and  nation,  he  has 
left  to  others,  who  may  have  the  leisure  and  the  taste,  to  record 
what  he  and  his  compeers  have  so  nobly  done.  Had  he  re- 
sisted solicitations  to  so  wide-spread  a  public  service,  and  with- 
drawn to  the  seclusion  of  the  study,  he  might  have  been  as 
noted  to-day  for  the  depth  and  versatility  of  his  attainments  as 
for  his  popular  and  effective  eloquence. 

He  did,  I  allow,  accept  calmly  the  doctrines  of  the  Church. 
There  is  but  little  trace  of  dissent  and  disquiet  in  the  history 
of  his  religious  thought.  But  must  spasms  of  disbelief,  crises 
of  fearful  questioning,  be  regarded  as  the  infallible  signs  of  a 
strong  mind  ?  Shall  it  be  regarded  as  an  orthodox  word  among 
those  who  scoff  at  orthodox  Christianity,  that  no  man  can  be 
voted  to  the  grade  of  able  and  original  thinkers  who  has  not 
passed  through  the  throes  of  mortal  doubt  touching  all  the 
great  fundamentals  of  truth  which  the  wisdom  of  ages  has  sat 
in  judgment  upon  and  approved  ?  If  so,  Mr.  Cookman  must  be 
rejected.  But  it  is  a  fact  that  many  of  the  greatest  minds  of 
these  and  other  times  have  never  passed  through  any  such 
phases  of  unrest.  "So  far  from  this,  some  of  the  finest  spirits — 
those  whose  vision  is  most  intuitive  and  penetrating — are  the 
most  exempt  from  such  anxious  soul  travails.  Indeed,  I  believe 


A   SPIRIT  ATTUNED   TO   TRUTH.  463 

that  there  is  no  such  safeguard  against  the  worst  consequences 
of  such  perplexities  as  a  heart  that  is  pure,  humble,  and  'at  leis- 
ure from  itself.'  "* 

Such  was  the  state  of  Alfred  Cookman.  His  judgments  were 
steadily,  quietly  reached ;  not  that  his  intellect  was  less  capa- 
ble, but  that  a  sound  heart  did  the  main  work  of  the  intellect. 

The  medium  of  Mr.  Cookman's  power  was  the  office  and 
work  of  the  Christian  pastor.  By  ruling,  visiting,  and  preach- 
ing, this  power  was  exerted  upon  the  minds  and  hearts  of  the 
flock  of  Christ.  For  the  threefold  duty  of  his  office  he  was  fit- 
ted by  the  gifts  and  graces  just  discussed.  This  fitness  made 
him  ready  and  able  to  use,  as  circumstances  required,  all  the 
legitimate  means  of  ministerial  usefulness.  He  despised  no 
means,  neglected  none,  which  could  give  him  greater  access  to 
the  hearts  of  the  people.  His  invention  was  ever  at  work  to 
impart  freshness  to  old  means,  or,  if  necessary,  to  devise  new  ex- 
pedients of  exciting  attention.  He  was  among  the  first  Meth- 
odist pastors  to  issue  printed  addresses  to  the  congregation,  or 
cards  such  as  his  "  League  of  Prayer,"  to  promote  revivals  of 
religion.  He  usually  spent  the  forenoons  of  each  day,  except 
Monday,  in  his  study,  and  the  afternoons  in  pastoral  calls.  To 
the  sick,  the  bereaved,  and  the  penitent  he  was  very  attentive. 

His  visits  were  an  effective  instrument  of  his  great  success 
as  a  revivalist.  He  would  follow  up  closely  those  who  in  the 
congregation  manifested  a  desire  for  religion,  and  the  result  of 
his  careful  attention  to  persons  thus  exercised  was  that  they 
seldom  failed  of  obtaining  comfort.  Underlying  his  thoughtful- 
ness  and  perseverance  was  his  prayerfulness  and  faith.  "I 
knew  him,"  writes  his  wife,  "when  in  Wilmington  and  other 
places,  during  a  season  of  religious  awakening,  to  stay  up  until 
near  day-break  alone  in  his  study,  pleading  with  God  for  the 
conversion  of  the  people ;  and  when  I  have  gone  to  him  in  the 
night  and  entreated  him  to  rest,  he  has  said  he  'could  not,  so 
*  "  Culture  and  Religion,"  p.  106. 


464  LIFE   OF  ALFRED  COOKMAN. 

great  was  his  burden  for  souls.'  He  believed  in  intercessory 
prayer,  and  often  remarked,  'Jesus  spent  whole  nights  in 
prayer !' "  The  Rev.  Mr.  Inskip,  speaking  of  him  at  the  me- 
morial service,  Ocean  Grove,  said  :  "  His  great  strength  he  got 
from  God  at  the  mercy-seat.  *  *  *  Perhaps  on  no  other  occa- 
sion was  this  more  apparent  than  in  that  wonderful  season  of 
prayer  at  Vineland.  A  halo  of  glory  was  around  him.  He  rose 
from  his  knees  with  his  hands  heavenward,  his  eyes  closed,  and 
the  influence  that  was  felt  all  over  the  ground  told  of  his  inti- 
mate relations  with  God."  A  gentleman  of  the  Baptist  Church 
spoke  also  of  the  same  occasion  :  "  I  shall  never  forget  the  pict- 
ure I  saw  at  Vineland  ;  it  was  under  the  arbor  where  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Palmer  were  holding  a  meeting,  and  Brother  Cookman  led 
in  prayer.  He  was  on  his  knees,  with  his  hands  raised,  asking 
God  for  blessings.  Instinctively  I  opened  my  eyes.  He  rose 
from  his  knees,  and  reaching  up  as  high  as  he  could,  seemed 
to  grasp  the  blessings  asked  for ;  and  then,  falling  on  his  knees 
again,  he  thanked  God  for  them.  How  much  good  it  did  me 
to  see  such  faith  that  would  just  reach  up  and  get  what  God 
was  about  to  give." 

Prayer  and  faith  were  never  lost  sight  of  in  his  preparations 
for  the  pulpit.  He  sought  direction  of  God  in  the  selection  and 
elaboration  of  his  topics,  and  then  depended  upon  God  for  their 
effectiveness.  He  was  never  happier  than  when  preaching. 
While  always  pertinent  and  instructive,  he  was  at  times  borne 
away  by  a  tide  of  holy  feeling,  which  swept  both  preacher  and 
audience  upon  its  resistless  strength.  Mr.  Cookman  seldom 
attempted  great  profundity  or  metaphysical  niceties,  but  mostly 
dealt  in  the  plainer  and  more  substantial  facts  of  revelation — 
stating  them  usually  in  simple  language,  and  enlivening  them 
with  a  natural  imagery,  a  life-like  or  historical  incident,  so  that 
they  were  apprehended  by  all,  even  the  most  illiterate,  and  en- 
joyed also  by  the  cultured  among  his  hearers.  The  late  Rev. 
Albert  Barnes,  of  Philadelphia,  was  exceedingly  fond  of  his 


CHARACTER    OF    HIS    PREACHING.  465 

preaching,  as  affording  to  his  mind  one  of  the  best  examples 
of  pure  Gospel  sermonizing.  A  peculiarity  of  Mr.  Cookman's 
preaching  was  the  frequent  recognition  of  the  three  persons  in 
the  Godhead.  The  cross  of  Christ,  the  blood  of  Jesus,  was  a 
constantly  recurring  theme  ;  while  he  as  repeatedly  dwelt  upon 
the  person,  office,  and  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

It  was  by  no  mere  novelties  he  drew  the  masses — the  com- 
mon people  heard  him  gladly,  not  as  they  rushed  to  see  a  show, 
but  expecting  from  his  lips  the  words  of  life;  and  he  gave  them 
bread,  the  vital  truth  of  God,  to  feed  them,  and  did  not  mock 
them  with  a  stone.  His  popularity  in  the  pulpit  was  not  due 
to  meretricious  ornaments,  or  to  the  low  buffoonery  that  caters 
to  a  vicious  taste,  but  to  what  he  was  as  a  holy  man,  and  to 
what  he  said  as  the  ambassador  of  Jesus  Christ. 

If  his  themes  were  few,  they  were  chosen  conscientiously,  be- 
cause he  believed  it  was  impossible  for  a  man  who  preached  to 
save  men  to  stir  from  the  cross  of  the  Redeemer.  He  did, 
however,  present  these  themes  with  great  freshness  and  unc- 
tion. "To  me,"  said  an  eloquent  minister,  who  knew  him  well 
and  heard  him  often,  "he  was  one  of  the  freshest  of  speakers." 
Whatever  of  light  from  nature,  art,  or  passing  events  could  be 
shed  on  these  topics  for  their  more  forcible  illustration,  he 
sought  and  diligently  applied.  Nothing  was  more  apparent 
than  that  in  the  pulpit  he  was  a  thoughtful  man  in  a  thinking 
and  active  age.  But,  above  all,  did  he  make  the  invariable  im- 
pression that  his  trust  for  the  success  of  the  Word  was  upon  su- 
pernatural help.  The  hearer  who  did  not  gather  this  failed  of 
the  simplest  teaching  of  the  devout  preacher.  The  whole  effect 
of  the  man  was,  that  whoever,  might  be  the  instrument  used,  it 
is  God  who  giveth  the  increase.  The  effect  of  his  evident  reli- 
ance upon  divine  aid  was  also  heightened  by  his  free,  natural, 
and  forcible  deliver}'.  His  voice  and  gestures  were  always 
suited  to  his  subjects — now  low,  slow,  and  tender,  and  anon  ris- 
ing into  vehemence  of  sound  and  action  with  the  cumulation 

U2 


466  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKiMAN. 

of  thought  and  feeling.  Ample  preparation  having  been  made, 
generally  with  the  pen  in  hand,  he  entered  the  pulpit  untram- 
meled  by  manuscript,  and  in  the  delivery  of  the  sermon  looked 
his  audience  directly  in  the  eyes,  and  as  he  proceeded  both  gave 
and  received  inspiration.  It  is  doubtful  if,  as  a  preacher,  take 
him  all  in  all,  he  had  his  superior  for  effective  popular  discourse 
among  the  younger  men  of  the  land. 

As  to  his  capacity  as  a  ruler,  one  phrase  will  express  the 
whole — he  ruled  but  little.  He  trusted  his  people,  and  they 
trusted  him.  He  was  an  ensample  to  the  flock,  a  model  of 
purity  in  the  minor  as  well  as  greater  morals.  His  speech  was 
always  seasoned  with  grace,  though  not  indifferent  to  the  flavor 
of  humor;  he  was  the  farthest  removed  from  bitterness,  coarse- 
ness, and  trifling.  He  was  temperate  in  all  things — totally  so 
in  things  which  might  occasion  offense — moderate  in  dress  and 
in  household  expenditures.  With  as  keen  a  relish  for  the  re- 
finements of  life  as  any  soul  ever  attuned  to  the  harmony  of 
sweet  sounds,  he  yet  esteemed  saving  men  preferable  to  all  the 
delights  which  art  could  afford.  This  thought  is  admirably 
pointed  by  the  substance  of  a  conversation  had  with  him  by 
Mrs.  Battershall,  of  New  York,  while  he  was  stationed  at  Spring 
Garden  Street,  Philadelphia : 

"  Mr.  Cookman,  with  that  total  absence  of  censoriousncss 
which  characterizes  a  perfect  Christian  charity,  and  yet  with 
that  earnestness  we  should  expect  from  a  faithful  Christian 
watchman,  when  Zion's  best  interests  are  imperiled,  remarked 
to  me  on  one  occasion  that  'the  culture  of  the  beautiful  within 
proper  limits  was  all  well  and  good,  but  he  considered  the  glory 
of  God  and  the  good  of  souls  of  infinitely  more  value  than  the 
highest  human  culture.'" 

Mr.  Cookman's  views  of  the  ministerial  vocation  did  not  shut 
him  away  from  society  or  the  nation.  He  retained  fully  his  po- 
sition as  a  citizen  of  the  state.  To  him,  as  to  one  before  him, 
"  politics  was  the  body  of  religion  ;"  and  he  ever  took  the  live- 


HIS   PLACE   IN   THE   HISTORY   OF   THE  CHURCH.  467 

liest  interest  in  the  great  social  and  political  questions  of  his 
times,^s  closely  related  to  the  welfare  of  Christ's  kingdom  and 
the  race.  He  was  decided  and  active  in  the  Temperance  and 
other  humane  reforms,  giving  to  them  not  only  his  countenance, 
but  his  cordial  support.  Much  less  did  his  calling  as  a  Meth- 
odist pastor  exclude  him  from  the  most  intimate  fellowship  with 
all  the  people  of  God.  He  was  incapable  of  narrowness.  He 
loved  the  image  of  Jesus  wherever  he  saw  it,  and  was  happy  to 
count  among  his  dearest  friends  and  fellow-workers  many  min- 
isters and  laymen  beyond  the  pale  of  his  own  denomination.  In 
no  slight  degree  did  his  truly  catholic  spirit  help  forward  the 
deepening  unity  and  spirituality  which  are  now  pervading  the 
several  branches  of  Christ's  holy  Church.  And  it  may  be 
safely  affirmed  that  there  is  no  name  of  American  Methodism 
of  the  present  generation  more  ardently  revered  by  Christians 
of  all  denominations  than  the  name  of  Alfred  Cookman. 

In  assigning  him  his  place  in  the  modern  Church,  the  distinc- 
tion which  I  claim  for  him  is  that  of  a  marked  illustration  of  the 
doctrine  of  Christian  holiness.  Whatever  may  have  been  origin- 
ally in  the  mind  of  God  concerning  him,  evidently  the  provi- 
dential circumstances  of  his  life  tended  to  mould  his  character 
and  to  shape  his  mission  for  this  end.  He  was  not  disobedient 
to  the  heavenly  calling.  He  can  in  no  sense  be  ranked  with 
original  men — such  as  found  new  systems  of  thought,  new  so- 
cieties, or  even  new  methods  of  activity ;  his  rank  is  with  the 
class  who  afford  the  material,  furnish  the  facts  out  of  which  sys- 
tems, societies,  and  methods  are  constructed.  As  a  fact,  Mr. 
Cookman's  life  is  of  incalculable  value  to  the  student  of  the 
great  problem  of  Christian  ethics.  No  mind,  however  critical, 
can  contemplate  so  striking  an  exhibition  of  moral  purity,  in  its 
direct  relation  to  the  Gospel  as- its  efficient  cause,  and  ignore 
the  importance  of  the  divine  element  in  the  great  process  of 
elevating  the  human  race.  While  to  Christian  inquirers  with 
an  animus  to  know  what  is  the  utmost  that  the  Gospel  of  Christ 


468  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

can  accomplish  for  a  believer  in  Jesus,  it  is  an  instance  which 
must  excite  the  highest  wonder  and  delight,  as  affording  an- 
other example  of  the  practicability  and  beauty  of  holiness  in 
their  own  times  and  among  their  own  circles.  The  grace  of 
God  purified  the  man  while  walking  among  his  fellows,  lifted 
him  up  to  shine  as  a  clear,  steady  light  by  the  very  pathways 
of  busy  people. 

And  this,  to  show  what  Christianity  can  actually  do  for  men 
as  a  purifying  power,  is  what  the  world  most  needs  to  know. 
One  clearly  defined  proof  of  this,  such  as  is  given  in  the  case 
of  our  friend,  is  worth  a  thousand  speculations.  The  danger  of 
our  age  lies  in  the  direction  of  sinking  out  of  sight  as  a  reality 
the  agency  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  work  of  moral  renovation. 
The  tendency  is  to  reduce  the  great  first  cause  of  salvation  to  a 
series  of  subordinate  and  incidental  causes  whereby  man  is 
manipulated  into  a  new  life.  The  scientific  spirit  is  reasoning 
God  out  of  the  process  of  saving  the  world.  An  idolatrous 
worship  of  intellect  threatens  to  drown  in  an  incense  of 
thought,  culture,  ideas,  the  stronger  part  of  human  nature,  the 
heart,  out  of  which  are  the  issues  of  life.  It  is  sought  in 
some  localities  to  politely  bow  out  of  society  the  Gospel  of  the 
cleansing  blood,  of  regenerating  grace,  for  a  new  Gospel  of 
"culture."  Mr.  Cookman's  life  is  an  attestation  of  the  abiding 
strength  and  the  spring-like  freshness  of  the  old  Gospel.  It  is 
an  example  of  moral  and  spiritual  purity,  made  such  not  by  the 
innovating  process  of  the  "schools,"  but  by  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  through  the  blood  shed  on  Calvary. 

"  It  is  the  old,  old  story  of  Jesus  and  His  love." 

As  such  I  have  sought  to  present  it  to  men.  It  may  be  that 
greater  men  have  died  without  any  such  extended  record  of 
their  lives ;  but  I  doubt  if  any  one  has  lived  among  us  more 
worthy  of  careful  mention.  He  embodied  in  himself  the  attri- 
butes of  humanity  most  necessary  to  be  known,  loved,  and  imi- 


AFTER   DEATH.  469 

tated.  These  attributes  had  their  rise  in  the  cross  of  Jesus 
Christ,  a  source  accessible  alike  to  all  persons.  He  lived  and 
died  an  example  of  the  reality  and  power  of  Christian  purity — 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  specimens  of  a  natural,  simple,  yet 
divinely  spiritual  manhood  which  it  has  fallen  to  this  or  any 
age  to  possess,  and  as  such  he  takes  his  position  among  the 
departed  worthies  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Mr.  Cookman  left  seven  children  :  George  Grimston,  Frank 
Simpson,  Annie  Bruner,  William  Wilberforce,  Mary,  Helen 
Kier,  and  Alfred ;  Alfred  Bruner  and  Rebecca  Evans  having 
died  before  him.  Mrs.  Cookman,  his  widow,  and  the  children, 
have  their  permanent  residence  in  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


BISHOP  SIMPSON'S  ADDRESS  AT  THE  FUNERAL  OF  REV. 
ALFRED  COOKMAN. 

How  solemn  this  moment  of  sorrow  !  With  slow  and  measured  steps  we 
have  entered  the  church,  as  though  unwilling  to  disturb  what  might  seem 
to  be  the  slumbers  of  a  dear  one.  We  have  come  to  drop  a  tear ;  we  have 
come  to  take  a  last  look ;  we  have  come  to  gather  around  the  form  of  a 
loved  brother  and  minister,  and  now  a  saint  with  Christ  Jesus.  The  as- 
sembling of  such  an  audience  is  but  a  faint  indication  of  the  esteem  and 
affection  which  a  departed  brother  had  gained  for  himself  in  the  Church  of 
Jesus  Christ.  Standing  where  we  do  at  this  time,  as  on  the  very  verge  of 
the  grave,  and  looking  on  the  one  hand  to  the  fleeting  years  we  have  to  stay, 
and  on  the  other  to  the  eternity  that  stretches  out  to  our  view,  how  short 
seems  life ;  how  unimportant  the  transitory  interests  of  life,  and  how  grand 
and  sublime  the  realities  of  life  just  beyond  !  Without  the  Bible,  death 
seems  like  a  pause  in  a  journey,  a  resting-place,  a  cessation  of  activity,  a 
moment  of  indifference  to  all  things  ;  but  with  the  light  of  the  Bible  it  is  but 
the  commencement  of  an  eternal  life,  the  renewal  of  exalted  powers,  the 
preparation  of  a  state  of  being  higher  and  grander  than  that  which  has 
closed ;  and  there  are  interests  that  gather  around  it  that  touch  every  heart 

There  is  not  in  this  assembly  one  but  has  buried  a  friend ;  there  is  not 
one  who  has  not  loved  ones  gone  beyond  the  vale,  and  there  is  not  one  of 
us  who  will  not  be  called  upon  in  the  order  of  Providence,  probably  before 
many  years,  to  bury  members  of  our  families,  or  to  be  buried  ourselves ; 


470  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

and  questions  will  arise  as  to  what  is  this  death,  which  smites  down  strong 
ones — this  death  that  takes  from  our  side  the  loveliest,  that  palsies  the  strong 
arm  on  which  we  have  leaned,  that  makes  silent  the  tongue  of  eloquence, 
the  desire  and  glory  of  statesmen — this  death  that  seems  the  end  of  the 
friendships  of  earth.  I  can  not  tell  all  that  is  in  death,  but  one  thing  I  know, 
that,  as  I  have  intimated,  it  is  not  the  end  of  being,  it  is  not  the  cessation 
of  activity ;  it  is  but  a  transfer  from  a  conference  on  earth  to  a  conference  in 
glory,  it  is  but  a  passage  from  earth  to  sublimer  scenes  and  employments  in 
the  world  above.  We  can  not  see  those  who  have  gone  before  us.  We  do 
not  know  precisely  what  they  are.  We  can  not  tell  exactly  where  they  are. 
We  do  not  know  accurately  the  thoughts  which  burn  within  their  being,  nor 
the  great  facts  that  have  burst  upon  their  minds.  We  know  but  in  part,  but  we 
know  this,  that  they  are  very  lovely,  for  they  are  like  Jesus  in  all  His  love- 
liness and  in  all  His  glory.  "  Beloved,  now  are  we  the  sons  of  God;  but  it 
doth  not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be,  but  we  know  that  when  He  shall  ap- 
pear, we  shall  be  like  Him,  for  we  shall  see  Him  as  He  is ;"  and  the  loved  ones 
who  sleep  in  Jesus,  I  know  are  like  Jesus,  though  all  that  may  be  implied 
in  that  I  can  not  tell.  They  think  the  thoughts  of  Jesus ;  they  enter  into 
the  great  plans  of  Jesus ;  they  share  in  the  great  sympathies  of  the  Son  of 
God,  and  they  are  being  transformed  into  the  fullness  of  his  glorified  image. 
And  what  joy  have  they  ! 

Often  did  our  brother,  who  lies  before  us  now  sleeping  this  last  sleep — 
often  did  he  rejoice  to  look  his  congregations  in  the  eye  when  standing  on 
the  platform  or  in  the  desk.  How  often  has  he  addressed  many  of  us  who 
are  here,  and  under  the  tones  of  his  voice,  his  words,  the  message  given  him 
from  God,  we  were  spell-bound.  He  loved  to  see  the  children  of  God  gath- 
ered around  him,  and  especially  was  it  a  joy  to  assemble  with  those  who 
now  behold  him,  and  to  point  them  on  and  up  in  the  way  of  life. 

But  while  this  clay  lies  here  in  the  midst  of  us,  he  has  taken  his  place  in 
"  the  General  Assembly  and  Church  of  the  First-born,  which  are  written  in 
heaven;"  he  has  gone  "to  God,  the  Judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits  of  just 
men  made  perfect,  and  to  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  new  covenant :"  Him  he 
has  seen,  Him  he  has  heard,  and  inconceivably  grand  visions  have  opened 
before  him.  How  much  he  knows  that  he  never  knew  before  of  the  riches  of 
heaven  and  of  the  great  plans  of  God  !  You  and  I  have  stood  gazing  through 
a  partially  opened  door,  but  he  has  swept  through  the  gates  into  the  city,  and 
the  eyes  which  have  closed  on  earth  have  opened  in  heaven,  and  in  many 
respects  what  we  fail  to  comprehend  here  is  understood  there.  The  lips 
which  are  silent  are  attuned  to  nobler  strains.  He  sang  sweetly  here,  and 
I  have  listened  to  his  strains,  as  he  sang  of  Jesus  with  his  melodious  voice, 


CONSISTENCY   OF   CHARACTER.  471 

which  is  to  be  heard  here  no  more ;  but  it  is  heard  among  the  spirit  voices  in 
glory.  We  do  not  know  what  are  the  employments  of  the  glorified.  There 
are  none  of  the  unconverted  to  be  preached  to  there,  but  there  are  the  saints 
of  all  ages  with  whom  we  may  mingle  ;  there  are  wonders  of  redeeming  love 
to  fathom  ;  there  are  new  perceptions  of  the  wisdom  of  God,  and  possibly 
there  are  missions  to  our  lower  world.  I  know  in  his  heart  he  yearned  over 
the  Church  of  God,  and  in  that  heart  he  bent  with  the  inquirer  over  the  al- 
tar, pleading  for  forgiving  grace.  He  joined  with  the  pardoned,  and  tri- 
umphed in  the  love  of  God,  and  how  often  have  I  heard  him  sing  the  sweet 
doxology  when  souls  were  just  born  into  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord.  Over 
souls  that  are  accepted  from  earth  to  their  place  in  glory,  over  sinners 
washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  does  he  no\y  exult  ?  I  think  he  does  more 
than  ever.  We  sometimes  think  the  Church  will  not  triumph,  and  unbelief 
haunts  our  spirits  ;  but  yonder  he  sees  Christ  waiting  until  his  enemies  shaft 
become  His  footstool,  and  he  sees  how  He  makes  all  things  work  together 
for  the  triumph  of  His  kingdom. 

I  have  no  words  of  eulogy  to-day  over  our  departed  brother,  but  I  do 
know  that  in  the  record  of  his  life,  the  mind  which  was  in  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  was  made  manifest,  and  he  had  qualities  worthy  of  our  examination 
and  imitation.  I  may  say,  without  a  thought  of  flattery,  that  our  brother 
possessed  no  ordinary  talent.  Blessed  with  a  gifted  father,  who  has  often 
thrilled  the  hearts  of  those  who  worshiped  here,  and  whose  voice  was  hushed 
as  he  went  down  in  the  waves,  and  with  a  family  all  of  them  in  the  Church 
of  the  living  God,  and  he  himself  a  bright  example  among  them  of  personal 
piety  ;  early  consecrating  himself  to  God,  himself  being  the  instrument  in 
the  conversion  of  some  of  the  members  of  the  family,  his  was  indeed  a  fa- 
vored lot.  Entering  the  ministry  at  an  early  period  of  life,  he  devoted  him- 
self unsparingly  and  constantly  to  the  one  work  of  bringing  sinners  home  to 
God. 

As  a  minister  he  occupied  no  ordinary  position.  The  churches  which  he  has 
been  called  to  serve,  and  the  multitudes  that  have  listened  to  him,  attest  both 
to  his  ability  and  fidelity.  As  a  pastor  he  was  kind,  attentive,  and  faithful ; 
and  I  can  speak  both  of  the  success  of  his  ministrations  and  of  his  faithful 
pastoral  labor  from  personal  observation.  Years  ago  he  was  the  pastor  of 
my  family  in  the  city  of  Pittsburgh,  and  my  children  became  attached  to  him 
as  their  friend.  And  since  we  have  been  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  he  was 
again  our  pastor,  and  I  saw  him  go  in  and  out.  He  stood  by  the  dying  bed 
of  one  I  loved,  and  his  words  and  counsels  were  those  of  a  Christian  minis- 
ter. I  can  say  that  during  all  the  time  I  knew  him  I  never  heard  one  word 
or  saw  the  manifestation  of  any  spirit  inconsistent  with  the  highest  forms  of 


472  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

the  Christian  life.  In  the  pulpit  or  out  of  it,  at  the  fireside  or  wherever  he 
was,  he  was  a  faithful,  pious  leader  of  the  people  and  follower  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  Himself  deeply  devoted,  he  was  very  anxious  to  see  a  higher 
type  of  religion  prevailing  in  the  Church,  and  very  often  his  theme  was 
Christian  holiness.  I  think,  as  he  stands  before  the  throne,  he  does  not 
regret  that  so  often  his  theme  was  "  Be  ye  holy,  for  I  am  holy."  I  rejoice 
to  say  that  he  taught  only  the  doctrine  which  a  happy  experience  and  godly 
life  verified.  He  was  kind  in  all  his  ways,  and  brotherly  in  the  expression 
of  all  his  views.  Toward  those  who  did  not  see  as  he  did,  he  cultivated 
the  kindest  spirit.  He  taught  the  truth  as  he  saw  it  in  Christ  Jesus,  but  at 
the  same  time  he  held  out  his  hand  to  every  one,  and  said,  "  If  thy  heart  be 
as  my  heart,  give  me  thy  hand."  This  spirit  was  shown  toward  all  denom- 
inations of  Christians,  and  many  of  those  of  other  persuasions  loved  to  sit 
tinder  his  ministrations.  True  to  the  interests  of  his  own  Church,  and  firm 
in  the  utterance  of  her  doctrines,  he  was  far  from  having  any  thing  of  a  spirit 
of  bigotry,  but  every  where  he  saw  the  image  of  his  Master  he  loved  it. 

Indeed,  it  is  a  mystery  why  he  should  be  cut  down  so  young,  in  middle 
age,  and  even  more  youthful  looking  than  he  was.  Why  was  he  cut  down  ? 
He  stood  by  my  bedside  when  life  was  trembling  in  the  balance,  and  little 
did  I  then  think  that  I  should  be  called  to  speak  when  his  voice  was  hushed 
in  death.  I  seem  to  myself  to  be  standing  on  the  edge  of  the  grave.  I  am 
walking  in  the  tombs,  and  the  ground  is  breaking  under  my  feet.  There  is 
Thompson  and  Kingsley  and  McClintock  and  Nadal  and  Foss,  and  now 
here  is  Brother  Cookman.  Why  is  this  ?  I  can  not  tell.  We  know  that 
God  can  carry  on  His  work.  We  know  that  He  does  all  things  well.  Per- 
haps He  is  teaching  the  Church  that  it  must  look  more  to  Him  than  to  the 
instrumentality.  He  may  be  calling  young  men  to  take  the  places  of  those 
who  are  falling  from  the  citadel  of  Zion.  There  is  a  purpose,  and  there  is 
a  voice  in  these  dispensations  of  Providence. 

Our  brother  was  not  called  to  pass  through  a  very  long  period  of  illness, 
though  he  was  ill  for  some  days.  I  had  heard  of  his  sickness,  and  after- 
ward that  he  was  mending,  and  seldom  in  my  life  have  I  been  more  shocked 
than  I  was  when  a  telegram  reached  me  that  Alfred  Cookman  was  dead ! 
I  could  scarcely  believe  it.  He  stood  before  me  so  fresh  and  young,  so 
rounded  in  his  character,  so  vigorous  in  his  movements,  that  I  could 
scarcely  believe  he  was  gone.  I  would  not  be  anxious  about  what  he  said 
at  the  last,  for  knowing  him  in  life,  we  know  him  in  death  ;  and  I  could  say 
of  him  what  I  could  say  of  very  few,  that  I  know,  as  far  as  I  know  any  thing, 
that  he  is  with  God,  for  he  walked  with  God.  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart, 
for  they  shall  see  God.  So  that  I  am  not  anxious  about  any  last  expressions. 


THE   VOICE   OF   PROVIDENCE.  473 

Yet  I  am  told  he  uttered  just  what  I  should  expect  of  such  a  man,  with  his 
chamber  "  quite  on  the  verge  of  heaven."  To  his  dear  partner,  upon  whom 
I  trust  the  rich  grace  of  God  may  rest  abundantly,  that  as  he  was  permitted 
in  life  to  be  her  guardian  angel,  so  up  yonder  he  should  watch,  and  open  the 
pearly  gates  and  welcome  her  in  when  she  should  come.  He  had  a  dream, 
or  a  waking  thought,  that  he  had  gone  up  to  glory,  and  his  dear  brother  met 
him,  and  presented  him  as  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  His  sainted 
father  met  him,  and  presented  him  as  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 
His  dear  boy  met  him,  and  presented  him  in  a  similar  way ;  and  he  realized 
that  he  was  washed  indeed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  He  was  a  good  man, 
full  of  faith  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  his  life-work  was  manifestly  done 
when  he  came  to  die. 

And  now,  Christian  people,  those  of  you  who  have  sat  under  his  ministry, 
what  would  these  lips  say  if  they  could  speak?  what  would  this  voice  utter 
if  it  could  be  heard  ?  Would  it  not  say,  "  Come  to  the  cross  ?" — "  Come  to 
Jesus  now  ?"  Would  he  not  speak  of  the  fullness  of  salvation  ?  Would  he 
not  tell  of  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ  ?  Would  he  not,  if  he  could,  unveil  the 
glories  of  heaven  ?  Would  he  not  say  to  you  and  me,  "  Brethren  and  sis- 
ters in  Christ, '  Stand  up  for  Jesus.' "  And  would  it  not  be  wisdom  for  us 
to  do  so  ?  Would  it  not  be,  that  we  should  seek  for  and  enjoy  full  redemp- 
tion in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  ?  Let  us  here  consecrate  ourselves  more  fully 
to  the  glory  of  God.  Let  us,  Christian  ministers,  my  brothers  in  the  king- 
dom and  patience  of  Jesus  Christ,  preach  Jesus  more  fully,  more  powerfully, 
until  the  world  shall  be  converted.  The  ministers  are  falling,  therefore  we 
who  are  spared  should  be  more  faithful,  and  pray  to  be  made  more  success- 
ful from  year  to  year.  I  would  invoke  upon  our  dear  sister,  who  feels  to-day 
that  the  light  of  her  house  and  the  joy  of  her  heart  has  been  taken  from  her, 
the  rich  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  To  this  mother,  whose  smitten 
heart  has  been  called  so  often  to  mourn,  may  I  offer  the  rich  consolations 
of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  Oh,  how  many  ties  are  up  there  in  glory  !  A  hus- 
band ;  the  second  son  ;  this  elder  son — all  of  them  saved.  In  the  midst  of 
years  may  the  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  be  given  unto  her  richly.  And  to 
these  brothers  and  sister  I  would  say,  Oh,  that  this  dispensation  may  be 
sanctified  to  their  good.  And  on  this  brother,  who  is  in  the  ministry  of 
Jesus  Christ,  oh,  on  him,  in  addition  to  all  that  has  been  given  him,  may  the 
mantle  of  his  father  and  brother  rest.  And  to  these  brothers,  who  are,  hand 
in  hand,  taking  hold  upon  the  business  of  earth,  and  yet  preparing  for  the 
state  hereafter,  may  God  strengthen  them  for  their  journey.  And  to  these 
boys  and  girls,  who  will  never  more  hear  their  father's  voice,  may  God  be 
gracious  to  you,  my  dear  children.  Walk  in  the  footsteps  of  your  father. 


474  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

Early  in  life  may  you  manifest  the  religion  which  he  chose,  and  may  these 
sons  be  the  sons  of  God.  May  the  Spirit  of  God  rest  upon  them,  and  save 
them  from  the  snares  of  the  wicked  one.  And  these  daughters,  may  they 
grow  in  loveliness,  and  may  the  spirit  of  Christianity  be  manifested  in  all 
their  lives. 

Christian  friends,  with  these  weeping  ones,  this  widow  and  mother,  and 
brothers  and  sister,  and  children,  may  we  covenant  with  God  to  be  more 
faithful  than  ever.  And  may  this  church,  that  has  echoed  with  his  voice, 
witness  a  glorious  revival  of  religion  ;  and  may  his  teaching  bring  forth  fruit 
to  the  honor  and  glory  of  God ;  and  when  we  come  to  die,  may  we  have  a 
peaceful  hour  in  which  to  pass  away,  and  may  we  mingle  with  that  glorified 
company  around  the  throne  of  God. 


REV.  WILLIAM  MCDONALD'S  REMARKS  AT  THE  FUNERAL 
OF  REV.  ALFRED  COOKMAN. 

I  was  never  more  profoundly  impressed  with  my  almost  utter  inability  to 
discharge  a  duty  than  I  am  to  present  to  you  the  character  of  our  dear 
brother.  I  confess  that  since  I  first  heard  the  announcement  of  his  death,  I 
have  scarcely  been  able  to  control  my  feelings  sufficiently  to  collect  any 
thoughts  for  this  occasion.  My  purpose  is,  in  the  very  few  words  I  shall 
address  to  you,  to  speak  of  our  dear  brother  in  his  relations  to  the  doctrine 
and  experience  of  Christian  holiness.  I  am  sure,  if  he  were  permitted  to 
speak  about  it,  and  to  express  a  wish  in  that  regard,  it  would  be  that  this 
subject — in  which  his  soul  so  much  delighted,  and  upon  which  his  heart  so 
often  dwelt  with  joy — should  be  made  very  prominent  about  his  mortal  re- 
mains. He  was,  in  the  first  place,  a  consistent  exemplar  of  the  doctrine  and 
experience  of  Christian  holiness — none  was  more  so.  In  casting  my  thoughts 
over  the  Church,  I  declare  to  this  immense  congregation  that  I  can  select  no 
man  in  the  ministry,  that  rises  before  me,  that  sheds  forth  a  clearer  light,  or 
who  spake  more  definitely  and  instructively  upon  this  great  theme  than  did 
he.  He  had  a  very  definite  experience  upon  this  grace.  *  *  *  I  think  I  shall 
not  forget,  either  in  time  or  eternity,  the  expression  he  made  at  the  Round 
Lake  camp-meeting  two  years  ago,  when  he  arose,  and  in  a  very  modest 
manner  said — "  Alfred  Cookman,  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb ;"  and 
that  experience  was  repeated  over  and  over  again  with  great  distinctness 
and  force.  Not  only  did  he  declare  an  experience  on  this  subject,  but  he 
was  able  to  stand  in  the  defense  of  this  doctrine.  Wherever  he  went  the 
people  expected  to  hear  the  doctrine  of  Christian  perfection,  as  held  by  the 


PRE-EMINENCE   IN    HOLINESS.  475 

Methodist  Church.  They  expected  words  of  power  from  his  lips,  and  they 
never  failed  to  be  gratified  in  this  respect. 

When  at  the  first  there  was  a  call  for  a  National  camp-meeting  for  the 
promotion  of  holiness,  he  accepted  the  position,  and  from  that  moment  he 
has  been  one  of  its  most  earnest  and  loved  promoters.  He  was  with  the 
brethren  in  this  work  at  the  first  National  camp-meeting  at  Vuieland.  He 
was  at  Manheim,  at  Round  Lake,  at  Oakington  and  Desplaines,  and  then 
again  at  Round  Lake,  and  then  at  the  last  at  Urbana.  And  who  will  ever 
forget  the  sermons  he  preached  at  these  camp-meetings  ?  Such  power,  such 
thrilling  pathos,  such  mighty  influences,  and  such  a  divine  unction  as  were 
manifest  under  the  preaching  of  our  dear  Brother  Alfred  Cookman,  I  never 
witnessed  elsewhere.  There  were  hundreds  of  ministers,  and  I  have  no 
doubt  thousands  of  members,  who  will  thank  God  for  those  sermons  he 
preached  at  Urbana,  Ohio. 

I  can  not  realize  that  my  dear  Brother  Cookman  is  dead.  I  can  not  re- 
alize that  I  shall  see  his  face  no  more — a  face  always  wreathed  with  heaven- 
ly smiles,  a  face  always  indicating  a  blessing  to  those  to  whom  he  preached. 
I  can  not  realize  that  I  shall  never  hear  that  peculiarly  sweet-toned  voice, 
urging  the  sacramental  host  of  God  to  "  be  holy,"  and  to  "  be  filled  with  the 
Spirit ;"  and  those  prayers  offered  to  the  Throne  of  Grace  that  bore  him  up 
to  the  very  third  heavens.  It  seems  to  me  it  can  not  be  so — yet  it  is.  It 
does  not  seem  to  me  that  in  the  work  laid  out  for  the  National  Association 
for  the  coming  year  that  our  dear  Brother  Alfred  will  not  be  there.  Oh, 
how  his  presence  ever  cheered  us  !  how  his  voice  ever  thrilled  us  !  how  his 
prayers  and  sermons  and  exhortations  enriched  us  !  He  will  not  be  there ; 
and  yet  I  am  expecting  he  will  be  there  ;  unless  there  is  something  very  im- 
portant to  prevent  it — he  will  come  and  linger  around  those  scenes.  A  wife 
has  lost  a  very  loving  husband ;  these  children  have  lost  an  affectionate 
father  ;  this  Church  has  lost  an  honored  pastor ;  and  the  Church  at  large  a 
worthy  minister — but  there  are  mourners  here  other  than  these.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  National  Association  for  the  Promotion  of  Holiness  mourn  as 
few  others  mourn.  This  dear  brother  has  been  with  us  in  the  days  of  our 
toil  and  affliction.  Had  you  been  with  us  as  he  has  been  with  us,  you 
might  know  of  ties  that  do  not  bind  many  hearts  together.  A  number  of  us 
are  here,  and  we  feel  our  loss  deeply,  and  we  know  not  how  his  place  can 
well  be  supplied. 


LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 


MR.  COOKMAN  AS  A  CHRISTIAN  MAN. 

BY   THE  REV.  ANDREW   LONGACRE. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  Mr.  Cookman's  personal  character  entered 
largely  into  the  elements  of  his  power.  It  was  the  substratum  on  which  his 
ample  influence  securely  rested.  It  is  difficult,  however,  to  distinguish  in 
him  the  simply  natural  endowments  from  the  precious  gifts  of  divine  grace, 
since  grace  began  its  work  so  early  in  him.  But  it  is  not  necessary  to  make 
the  distinction.  As  we  knew  him,  he  was  a  thorough  Christian  gentleman, 
and  the  outward  grace  in  him  was  but  the  gleam  of  the  light  of  the  gentle 
spirit  and  fine  feelings  within.  To  many  of  us  he  was  what  Tennyson  calls 

his  friend — 

"  The  sweetest  soul 

That  ever  looked  through  human  eyes." 

He  was  magnanimous  in  every  instinct,  never  little  or  mean,  incapable  of 
detraction  himself  and  unsuspicious  of  it  in  others.  His  soul  moved  on  the 
high  plain  where  all  is  broad  and  liberal  and  unselfish. 

He  was  honest  to  his  convictions  at  every  cost ;  and  there  were  votes  in 
Conference  that  did  cost  him  something  in  other  days,  as  there  were  convic- 
tions as  a  teacher  of  the  truth  more  recently  that  were  not  unattended  with 
trial  and  alienation  of  friends.  But  nobody  had  ever  to  doubt  where  Alfred 
Cookman  stood  on  a  question  of  conscience.  And  this  was  with  no  shadow 
of  bravado  or  self-assertion,  but  in  the  "meekness  of  wisdom,"  with  the  very 
"meekness  and  gentleness,"  the  "sweet  reasonableness  of  Christ." 

His  character  was  rounded  and  well  poised,  and  there  was  with  it  also  a 
deeper  underlying  wisdom  than  many  who  knew  him  well  imagined,  because 
it  was  always  perfectly  unobtrusive.  Altogether  he  was  peculiarly  a  man 
made  to  be  loved.  Unselfish  in  his  friendship,  his  quick  sympathies  and 
warm  interest  were  freely  given  in  return  for  the  love  we  gave  him.  Few 
men  have  ever  been  so  widely  or  so  greatly  beloved.  In  the  churches  he 
had  served,  and  I  speak  undcrstandingly,  for  I  have  twice  followed  him  at 
considerable  intervals,  his  name  is  embalmed  in  a  deep  and  peculiar  affec- 
tion, as  one  dearer  and  better  than  other  men. 

Higher  than  all  else  was  his  character  as  a  man  of  God.  It  was  because 
we  saw  and  felt  the  holiness  of  his  life  that  his  influence  was  so  strong  with 
us.  His  mind  was  drawn  to  the  subject  of  entire  sanctification  in  the  very 
beginning  of  his  ministry  by  Bishop  and  Mrs.  Hamline,  then  visiting  New- 
town,  one  of  his  appointments.  For  a  number  of  years,  however,  his  views 
were  undecided  with  respect  to  this  doctrine.  But  about  thirteen  years  ago 
his  conscience  was  awakened  to  it  again,  and  he  entered  into  the  clear  en- 


A   MODEL   METHODIST   MINISTER.  477 

joyment  of  it  as  a  personal  experience.  His  convictions  on  this  subject  be- 
came from  that  time  the  profoundest  of  his  mind  and  heart ;  and  he  never 
failed,  on  all  fitting  occasions,  to  let  his  belief  and  his  experience  be  well 
understood.  Yet  I  need  scarce  remind  you  that  his  confession  had  in  it 
nothing  of  self-exaltation.  He  never  failed  to  disclaim  all  goodness  in  or 
from  himself;  but  he  rejoiced  always,  and  with  an  exultant  faith,  in  the 
power  of  the  blood  of  Jesus  to  cleanse  him  from  all  sin. 

His  own  faith  and  experience  never  seemed  to  separate  him  from  others 
who  did  not  think  or  feel  as  he  did.  No  one  felt  at  a  distance  from  him  by 
reason  of  his  holiness.  It  was  a  holiness  that  attracted,  not  one  that  re- 
pelled. 

He  has  supported  this  scriptural  teaching  with  all  his  consecrated  abili- 
ties. To  it  he  has  given  the  most  cogent  of  his  arguments,  and  still  more 
effectively  his  almost  irresistible  powers  of  persuasion. 

But  his  life  has  been  more  powerful  still.  Men  might,  if  they  pleased,  op- 
pose his  arguments  with  doubts  and  objections ;  they  might  even  turn  away 
from  his  burning  appeals ;  but  no  one  could  question  the  living  purity  of 
the  man,  the  practical  embodiment  of  holiness  in  his  life.  In  the  shadow  of 
approaching  death  he  expressed  his  joy  and  gratitude  that  he  had  been  per- 
mitted to  experience  and  to  uphold  this  great  salvation,  the  fullness  of  the 
power  of  Jesus  Christ  to  save. 

And  he  has  gone.  In  the  golden  prime  of  his  days,  in  the  fresh  maturity 
and  plenitude  of  his  beautiful  life,  he  has  gone  from  his  work,  and  from  us, 
who  have  loved  him  so  well. 


Recollections  of  Alfred  Cookman,  as  a  preacher,  by  the  Rev. 
James  M.  Lightbourn,  of  Baltimore,  Md. : 

"Alfred  Cookman  was  the  best  model  of  a  Methodist  preacher  I  ever 
knew.  He  was,  in  the  highest  and  strictest  sense  of  the  word,  a  gentleman. 
True  politeness  springs  from  the  heart — such  was  his.  He  was  as  gentle 
and  respectful  to  the  humble  poor  as  he  was  graceful  and  polite  to  the  most 
refined  and  cultured.  With  suavity  of  manners  he  united  firmness  of  char- 
acter. While  his  spirit  was  most  loving,  and  his  nature  gentle  and  extreme- 
ly sensitive,  he  was  a  hero  in  the  cause  of  truth,  both  aggressively  and  de- 
fensively. 

"  As  a  camp-meeting  preacher,  Alfred  Cookman  was  a  prince  among  his 
brethren.  An  announcement  that  he  would  preach  always  insured  a  large 
congregation.  A  sermon  preached  by  him  at  the  Camden  camp,  upon  the 


478  LIFE   OF  ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

subject  of  entire  sanctification,  will  never  be  forgotten  by  those  who  heard 
it.  It  was  the  clearest  exposition  of  the  great  doctrine  I  ever  heard.  His 
appeals  were  irresistible,  and  swept  all  hearts.  The  fire  which  he  kindled 
that  day  he  drew  from  heaven.  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  God  was  upon  him 
— his  face  was  like  that  of  an  angel,  and  his  voice  rang  over  the  vast  audi- 
ence carrying  conviction  to  many  Laodicean  hearts.  Revivals  have  been 
known  to  follow  his  camp-meeting  efforts." 

A  tribute  from  the  Rev.  T.  De  Witt  Talmage,  D.D. : 

"  The  Rev.  Alfred  Cookman's  life  comes  back  to  me  like  the  sound  from 
a  church-bell  embowered  in  trees  on  a  soft  June  day.  It  was  nothing  so 
much  I  ever  heard  him  say,  or  any  thing  I  ever  saw  him  do,  that  so  im- 
pressed me  as  himself.  He  was  the  grace  of  the  Gospel  impersonated.  I 
met  him  often  on  the  platform  of  religious  and  philanthropic  meetings.  To 
be  with  him  was  to  be  blessed.  The  more  I  saw  him  the  more  I  loved  him. 
His  preaching  was  not  made  up  of  ten  grains  of  metaphysics  and  nine  grains 
of  German  philosophy  to  one  grain  of  Gospel,  but  with  him  Christ  was  all 
and  in  all !  Sweep  a  circle  of  three  feet  around  the  cross  of  Jesus,  and  you 
take  in  all  that  there  was  of  Alfred  Cookman. 

"  It  is  not  so  much  the  Methodist  Church  that  suffers  from  his  departure 
as  all  Christendom.  Oh,  that  we  all  might  have  more  of  his  spirit,  and  die 
at  last  his  beautiful  and  triumphant  death !" 

The  Rev.  E.  Wentworth,  D.D.,  editor  of  The  Ladies'  Reposi- 
tory, writes  : 

"  Alfred  was  the  most  thoroughly  religious  man  of  my  acquaintance — re- 
ligious beyond  suspicion  of  cant,  hypocrisy,  or  profession. 

"  In  social  life  his  religion  was  never  obtrusive,  but  you  felt  its  perpetual 
presence  and  abiding  power.  This  was  not  Sunday  religion  or  pulpit  piety, 
camp-meeting  fervor  or  revival  fire.  His  devotion  was  a  living  flame,  his 
example  a  shining  light,  his  influence  a  genial  glow,  his  eloquence  genuine, 
his  zeal — the  offspring  of  his  deepest  convictions — unsparing.  The  only 
drawback  to  the  pleasure  and  correspondent  profit  of  listening  to  his  pas- 
sionate appeals  and  sublime  outbursts  was  the  conviction  that  he  was  using 
himself  up,  and  that  he  would  die  a  martyr  to  his  own  fervidness  before  he 
reached  middle  life.  It  was  even  so.  He  belongs  to  the  class  of  early  mar- 
tyrs— geniuses  like  Mozart,  Mendelssohn,  Summerfield,  and  F.  W.  Robert- 
son— whose  passionate  souls  made  an  early  holocaust  of  the  physical  man. 
He  has  gone  sweeping  through  the  gates,  as  he  went  sweeping  through  life, 
and  as  he  will  go  triumphantly  sweeping  up  the  streets  of  the  New  Jertisa- 


REFERENCES   TO    HIS   CHARACTER.  479 

lem,  attended  by  the  thousands  converted  through  his  powerful  ministry, 
saying — '  Here  am  I  and  the  children  which  God  has  given  me.' " 

The  Rev.  Dr?W.  M.  Paxton's  estimate  of  Mr.  Cookman's 
preaching : 

"  As  a  preacher,  I  always  regarded  him  as  remarkable.  His  sermons 
were  solid,  able,  experimental,  instructive,  and  sometimes  brilliant,  glowing, 
eloquent.  His  pulpit  power,  as  I  estimated  it,  consisted  largely  in  two 
things : 

"  i.  In  the  happy  faculty  which  he  had  of  giving  an  experimental  cast  to 
all  his  thinking.  Few  men  have  been  as  successful  as  he  was  in  imbuing  all 
their  preaching  with  their  own  rich  experience. 

"  2.  In  a  singular  capacity  for  pictorial  illustration.  This,  I  presume,  was 
in  a  measure  a  natural  gift,  inherited  from  his  distinguished  father,  who,  I 
am  told,  was  in  his  day  unrivaled  in  this  species  of  eloquence — but  when  his 
voice  was  silenced,  the  gift  was  reproduced  in  his  son.  I  remember  to  have 
listened,  or  rather  to  have  looked  with  great  delight  at  his  beautiful  pictures, 
for  they  were  so  graphic  that  they  passed  like  panoramic  paintings  before 
my  view.  I  presume,  of  course,  that  a  volume  of  his  sermons  will  be  pub- 
lished ;  but  permit  me  to  suggest,  also,  that  a  small  volume  of  pictorial  il- 
lustrations, gathered  from  his  sermons,  might  do  great  good.  It  occurs  to 
me,  however,  that  it  is  quite  probable  that  many  of  his  finest  things  were 
never  written.  The  faculty  being  a  gift,  and  not  an  acquirement,  I  can  well 
understand  that  it  would  be  fettered  rather  than  assisted  by  the  pen." 

From  the  Rev.  George  S.  Hare,  D.D.,  the  successor  of  Mr. 
Cookman  at  the  Central  Church,  Newark,  New  Jersey : 

"  I  first  met  Alfred  Copkman  in  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  very 
open  and  frank,  and  went  at  once  to  a  warm  place  in  my  heart.  The  thing 
that  struck  me,  outside  of  himself,  at  Pittsburgh,  was  that  he  was  so  entirely 
loved,  and  almost  idolized  by  his  people.  I  could  easily  tell  why,  from  the 
impression  he  had  made  on  myself.  I  met  him  again  soon  after  in  New 
York,  where  I  was  a  pastor,  and  he  had  come  to  speak  at  an  anniversary. 
I  do  not  remember  to  have  had  any  further  intercourse  with  him  until  he 
succeeded  me  as  pastor  of  the  Central  Church,  in  New  York.  I  had  re- 
moved to  Trinity,  in  the  same  city,  and  of  course  we  saw  much  of  each 
other.  I  think  the  relations  of  an  old  pastor  and  his  successor  were  never 
more  delightful.  Knowing  the  Church  by  heart,  I  had  an  opportunity  to 
observe  his  influence  upon  it — to  see  how  quickly  he  won  all  hearts,  and 
how  entirely  they  came  to  confide  in  him  as  a  friend  and  teacher.  He  fol- 


480  LIFE   OF   ALFRED   COOKMAN. 

lowed  me  also  at  Trinity,  and  our  relations  remained  the  same.  We  were 
true  friends  and  brothers  in  our  work,  and  Alfred  Cookman  never  impressed 
me  but  in  one  way — as  the  gentlest,  purest,  and  most  sincere  of  men.  I  am 
again  his  successor,  but  never  more  will  he  succeed  me.  I  came  here  under 
the  shadow  of  his  death  to  a  broken-hearted  people.  It  is  doubtful  if  he 
ever  accomplished  more  for  a  Church  in  any  full  term  of  service  than  for 
this  Central  Church  of  Newark  in  the  few  months  of  his  pastorate  here. 
He  was  ripe  in  his  holiness,  and  his  influence  fell  like  a  power  of  God  on  all 
around  him.  His  triumphant  death  sealed  it  all,  and  left  the  Church  so 
chastened  in  spirit,  so  in  love  with  goodness,  so  aspirant  toward  purity,  that 
it  has  been  but  an  easy  and  joyful  task  to  lead  it  on  to  good  and  noble 
works.  His  memory  here  is  as  sweet  and  precious  as  the  memory  of  mortal 
man  can  be.  I  attempt  no  estimate  of  his  character,  but  I  give  these  few 
impressions  of  an  influence  which  has  fallen  like  sunshine  on  my  way,  with 
gratitude  to  God  that  He  gave  me  Alfred  Cookman  for  a  friend  and  a 
brother." 

I  can  not  more  appropriately  close  these  testimonials  to 
the  worth  and  usefulness  of  Mr.  Cookman,  nor  the  history  of 
the  life  which  it  has  been  my  pleasant  task  to  record,  than  by 
quoting  the  reference  made  to  his  character  and  death  by 
the  Rev.  W.  M.  Punshon,  in  the  memorable  address  delivered 
by  that  gentleman  before  the  late  General  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  city  of  Brooklyn.  After 
eloquently  characterizing  Bishops  Baker,  Clark,  Thomson,  and 
Kingsley,  the  Rev.  Drs.  Mattison,  Sewall,  McClintock,  and  Na- 
dal,  all  of  whom  had  died  since  he  came  to  America,  he  said  : 

"  And  then  I  think  of  a  later  loss  than  these — a  blameless 
and  beautiful  character,  whose  name  had  a  hereditary  charm 
for  me,  whose  saintly  spirit  exhaled  so  sweet  a  fragrance  that 
the  perfume  lingers  with  me  yet,  and  who  went  home  like  a 
plumed  warrior,  for  whom  the  everlasting  doors  were  lifted,  as 
he  was  stricken  into  victory  in  his  prime,  and  who  had  nothing 
to  do  at  the  last  but  mount  into  the  chariot  of  Israel,  and  go 
'  sweeping  through  the  gates,  washed  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lnmb.' " 

THE  END. 


THE  LIBRARY 
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